| The purpose of this study is to describe the life of Chang Hsueh-liang and to analyze his role in modern Chinese history. Using the historical method, this study draws upon available primary and secondary Chinese, English, and Japanese source materials including a recent People's Republic of China publication on Chou En-lai's relations with Chang Hsueh-liang, a heretofore unused document by Western researchers. Interviews were conducted with Chang's former subordinates, and other Kuomintang leaders, who personally worked with Chang Hsueh-liang.; Chang Hsueh-liang helped to reshape the destiny of modern China over the past fifty years. In June 1928, he succeeded his father, the old warlord of Manchuria at the age of twenty-eight.; As his first major political act after becoming the ruler of Manchuria, Chang declared allegiance to the Nationalist Government in Nanking. In doing so, he helped Chiang Kai-shek to nominally unify China.; Japanese expansion continued. Chang Hsueh-liang became the chief target of public criticism. Under heavy pressure, Chang relinquished command of the Northeastern troops to Chiang Kai-shek and sailed for Europe in 1933.; In 1934, he was called back to China. Upon his returning, he was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of operations against Chinese Communists. Chiang, himself served as the commander. Upon taking command, Chang moved his Northeastern troops to Shensi and established Sian as their headquarters.; In May 1933, Japan presented a series of far-reaching demands to the Chinese government. Rather than dealing with these immediately, Chiang adopted a policy to suppress the Chinese Communists before resisting the foreign enemy.; With the Chinese Communist "Long March" into the Northwest, Chiang pressed Chang to vanquish them. However, having been driven from Manchuria by the Japanese forces, and with general disillusionment with Chiang's policy, Chang Hsueh-liang and his forces favored confronting the Japanese. Therefore, Chang arranged a secret, informal truce with the Communist forces during the summer of 1936.; On December 4, 1936, when Chiang came to Sian and instructed Chang to launch the sixth bandit suppression campaign, Chang arrested and persuade him to form a united front with the Chinese Communists against the Japanese. After Chiang accepted these demands, he was released. Chang accompanied him back to Nanking, surrendered himself to military trial for his arrest of Chiang. He was placed under house arrest.; In 1937, Chiang formally decided to resist Japan, and thereby unify various forces in China. This war eventually enabled China to free herself from Japanese domination which began during the first Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. It also helped to accelerate the Communist Revolution that established the People's Republic of China. |
