Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.2, 2017

 

Political Currents in Sichuan and Chiang Kaishek’s Response (1937-1940)

(Abstract)

 

Huang Tianhua

 

During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Nationalist government urgently needed to take control of Sichuan in its westward move to Chongqing. However, local forces whose vested interests were affected repeatedly put up armed resistance to the central government, disrupting the political situation. With the death of the Chairman of Sichuan Province, Liu Xiang, in January 1938, Chiang appointed Zhang Qun to the position, but was forced to reassign it to Liu Xiang’s subordinate, Wang Zuanxu, in place of Zhang, due to strong protests from Liu’s followers. In August of the following year, more political changes occurred as the Sichuan military expelled Wang. In this situation, Chiang had to assume control himself of the province, but he quit a year later due to interference and even threats of mutiny from the Sichuan military. He insisted, however, on having Zhang Qun resume the post. The constant political turbulence in Sichuan to a large extent destroyed the stability of the rear areas, affecting the overall situation of the war. These circumstances reveal the complex and changing relations between the central and the local governments during the war.