Xi'an Incident

The Xi?an Incident:

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Although the Xi?an Incident ? Dec. 12, 1936 - marks the official end of the Chinese civil war, and a united China to challenge Japan, its outcome had more to do with the pursuit of individual self interest, then uniting China. The Incident itself, was an outcome of a conflict of self-interest between Chiang Kai-shek, Zhang Xueliang, Mao Zedong, and most importantly, Joseph Stalin.

Related Topics:
Chiang Kai-shek - Zhang Xueliang - Mao Zedong - Joseph Stalin

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Zhang Xueliang, known as The Young Marshal, was the son of Manchuria ruler. Chang Tso-lin. After they assassinated his father, the Japanese thought the young Marshal would be more subject to Japanese influence. They were wrong, and he quickly sided with the Chiang Kai-shek, and turned his forces over to KMT rule. He remained ruler of Manchuria until the Japanese invasion in 1931. As a result of the death of his father, and his loss of Manchuria, he held strong anti-Japanese sediment.

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In September 1936, The Russians had a plan to ship arms and vehicles to the Communists led by Mao, via Outer Mongolia. The Communist base was about 300 miles south of Outer Mongolia, and needed to press though KMT forces in order to get there. Zhang Xueliang was the man sent by Chiang to make sure this does not happen. By October, the Communists were weak and desperate. Mao and his 80,000 troops needed food and weapons if they hoped to survive.

Related Topics:
Communists - Outer Mongolia

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Since the beginning of the Japanese invasion in 1931, Chiang was determined to wipe out the Communists, and for the time being, simply ignore the Japanese, as there takeovers were slow, and China?s land was vast. He was also hoping they would turn north to Russia, and then Russia would fight with them, and possibly end the occupation, not the KMT. Chiang also knew his army was no match for the Japanese. The Young Marshal was not happy with Chiang?s approach, and thought he was more suitable to rule China. He then made it clear to Russia, he would be willing to co-operate with the Communists to declare war, and unite against the Japanese. Chiang was strictly against this. The idea pleased Russia, since they did not want to fight the Japanese in the east, as they were already dealing with the Germans in the west. Russia wanted China to lure Japan into battles in central China, away from Russia. Stalin also did not want Zhang to Challenge Chiang, as they felt he was an unsuitable leader. (His forces briefly fought against the Russians in the late 1920?s over control of Manchurian railroads.) Stalin needed the Young Marshals help in getting the Reds through KMT territory to the Mongolian border, so they told him they would support him, if they let the Reds pass. He agreed. His forces still fought the communists, in order to throw off Chiang, but they fought with little resistance.

Related Topics:
Russia - War

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Mao also wanted to align with Zhang, as he thought this could bring him closer to his desire to someday rule China. In addition to saving the Reds, Zhang Xueliang also thought to kidnap Chiang, to ensure his takeover of the KMT, and of China. This would take place in Xian, where Chiang was headed. Mao Zedong fell in love with the idea right away and said that the Russians fully supported this idea, although, they most definitely did not. At this point, Mao and Zhang are just trying to reach their own personal goals of supreme power over China, whereas Stalin and Chiang, the two men with real power are just trying to avoid fighting the Japanese.

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At dawn on December 12th, after his morning exercises, Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by Zhang Xueliang?s men. At this point, Zhang thought he was acting with complete support from Stalin, within hours afterwards, he found out the truth. After Zhang knew Stalin was extremely against this, he knew his hopes of ruling China was over. Without Stalin?s support, Zhang was powerless.

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Mao now wanted Zhang to kill Chiang, and then in the chaos prematurely attack Nanjing. Zhang however, knew killing Chiang would bring death to himself. Instead, he chose to except his defeat, and work toward his secondary goal: Uniting China against the Japanese.

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At this point, rumors flew around Russia that Mao was in Cahoots with the Japanese, and Stalin quickly ordered Mao to find a peaceful solution to the problem. Mao was against this, and ignored Stalins orders, and continued to urge Zhang to kill Chiang. Mao figured that killing Chiang was worth defying Stalin. Mao simply denied getting word from Moscow to find a peaceful solution.

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Zhang, after accepting defeat, told the truth to Chiang, apologized, and urged Chiang to unite with the communists. Again, even under Zhang?s control, he refuses. Now, with Nanjing declaring war on Zhang and Xi?an, with Mao trying to kill Chiang, and Chiang?s refusal to co-operate, Stalin must step in to bring a final resolution. He again sends word to Mao he wants Chiang, and no one else to rule China, and lead a united front against Japan. This time Mao knows he must listen or face consequences. Stalin also makes Chiang change his mind about joining forces with the communists, convinces him to call off Nanjing?s war on Xian. This is something that only Stalin can do since he has a negotiation weapon more powerful than anything Zhang or anybody else has. Chiang?s son. Chiang?s only son, Ching-kuo left for Russia in 1925 with his fathers blessing to pursue an education in Communism. After his fathers purge of the CCP in 1927, his son was sent to work in a steel plant in Siberia, and was not permitted to leave. Stalin held him hostage, just as Zhang held Chiang. With Chiang?s agreement to join forces with the communists in a united front against Japan, Stalin promised to release his Ching-kuo. Zhang then returned Chiang to Nanjing, and surrendered to the KMT. He would spend the next half a century under house arrest.

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In Mainland China, Zhang Xueliang is remembered as a hero and is credited for ending the civil war and uniting the CCP and KMT.Link title

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for further reading see "MAO - the untold Story" JUNG CHANG and JON HOLLIDAY

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