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Conclusion + The Soong Sisters
Conclusion + The Soong Sisters
Overall, 1934 was a dark year for the Republic of China. Her two key allies had proven unreliable and she was forced to seek alternatives. Nontheless as the western democracies stagnated under the burden of the Great Depression and revolts, strikes and rebellions bought the political system to a screeching halt - it seems as though China was in a relatively good position, enough of a good position that President Chiang Kai-shek called for an election for October 1935...
The Soong Sisters
A photo of the Soong Sisters
One married money, one monied power, one married China.
- Traditional Saying
The Soong Sisters would be known as history's most powerful female figures. At varous points in the Republic of China the three effectively ran China - whether directly or through influencing their husbands. The three skillfully used money, power and sex appeal to successfully steer the course of China until 1970.
- H.H Kung and Soong Ailing
Ailing was the sister who married money. H.H Kung was China's richest man - his decision to side with the KMT at a crucial junction at the Battle of Shanghai meant that he was able to reap large rewards at the expense of the business people and gentry who had sided with Big Eared Du. H.H Kung was also the elected mayor of Shanghai - giving him a solid powerbase in the factional games of the Kuomintang. Ailing was perceived to be avaricious and greedy. An urban legend attributes Ailing Kung sequestering an airship to evacuate one of their villas. Nontheless, despite their unpopularity - money in Republican China talked. Silver bullets were still as deadly as they were before and it was long before Ailing and her husband had an informal web of paid informers and assasins - ready to indulge in the deadly game of politics. There was, after all, going to be an election next year. Broadly speaking, Kung and Ailing were alligned with T.V Soong's "White" faction.
- Soong Chingling seductively reading a book
Soong Chingling was the sister who married power. Her first husband was the founder of the Kuomintang and of the Republic of China - the revered Sun Yat-sen. She would exploit her prestigious surname for all that it was worth in the 1935 election as she campaigned against Chiang Kai-shek for the presidency. Chingling was known as the passionate and mercurial syster - with a burning fire for social justice. She found a fellow soul in Wang Jingwei - beginning a passionate love affair that would ultimately culminate in marriage. For now however, Soong was content to act as Wang's 'stalking horse' by running against Chiang Kai-shek. This allowed Wang to publically support Chiang and appear to be loyal to the Triumverate without openly undermining Chiang. Chingling was obviously a member of Wang Jingwei's "Red" faction.
- Soong Meiling and President Chiang Kai-shek
It was the third and youngest sister that married China. Although Soong "Madame Chiang Kai-shek" was the model of an obedient and traditional wife in the 1935 election - behind the scenes she ran Chiang's election campaign. She was a masterful genius of propaganda - earning the epithet "The Chinese Goebbells" and her weekly broadcasts to America gave Chiang's presidency legitemacy. Though she played a prominent role in 1935 - it was afterwards and in the Second Reunification War that she would shine.
(Sorry for the time taken to update. As I've said in NPC - my best friend has recently confessed her romantic feelings to me after a long overseas trip - converting a previously unrequited love to a requited one. Needless to say we spent the whole weekend catching up.)
Thanks to everyone for their kind feedback and comments and the unexpected support I've received in the Turtledoves. Although I stand by my original endorsement for Geekhis's amazing Viva Balbo, I am nontheless flaterred and humbled by the level of support for this TL. A very sincere thank you to all my fans - especially Hendryk who has provided excellent advice.
Next Update: 1935 - The Generalissimo and the Widow.
Overall, 1934 was a dark year for the Republic of China. Her two key allies had proven unreliable and she was forced to seek alternatives. Nontheless as the western democracies stagnated under the burden of the Great Depression and revolts, strikes and rebellions bought the political system to a screeching halt - it seems as though China was in a relatively good position, enough of a good position that President Chiang Kai-shek called for an election for October 1935...
The Soong Sisters
A photo of the Soong Sisters
One married money, one monied power, one married China.
- Traditional Saying
The Soong Sisters would be known as history's most powerful female figures. At varous points in the Republic of China the three effectively ran China - whether directly or through influencing their husbands. The three skillfully used money, power and sex appeal to successfully steer the course of China until 1970.
- H.H Kung and Soong Ailing
Ailing was the sister who married money. H.H Kung was China's richest man - his decision to side with the KMT at a crucial junction at the Battle of Shanghai meant that he was able to reap large rewards at the expense of the business people and gentry who had sided with Big Eared Du. H.H Kung was also the elected mayor of Shanghai - giving him a solid powerbase in the factional games of the Kuomintang. Ailing was perceived to be avaricious and greedy. An urban legend attributes Ailing Kung sequestering an airship to evacuate one of their villas. Nontheless, despite their unpopularity - money in Republican China talked. Silver bullets were still as deadly as they were before and it was long before Ailing and her husband had an informal web of paid informers and assasins - ready to indulge in the deadly game of politics. There was, after all, going to be an election next year. Broadly speaking, Kung and Ailing were alligned with T.V Soong's "White" faction.
- Soong Chingling seductively reading a book
Soong Chingling was the sister who married power. Her first husband was the founder of the Kuomintang and of the Republic of China - the revered Sun Yat-sen. She would exploit her prestigious surname for all that it was worth in the 1935 election as she campaigned against Chiang Kai-shek for the presidency. Chingling was known as the passionate and mercurial syster - with a burning fire for social justice. She found a fellow soul in Wang Jingwei - beginning a passionate love affair that would ultimately culminate in marriage. For now however, Soong was content to act as Wang's 'stalking horse' by running against Chiang Kai-shek. This allowed Wang to publically support Chiang and appear to be loyal to the Triumverate without openly undermining Chiang. Chingling was obviously a member of Wang Jingwei's "Red" faction.
- Soong Meiling and President Chiang Kai-shek
It was the third and youngest sister that married China. Although Soong "Madame Chiang Kai-shek" was the model of an obedient and traditional wife in the 1935 election - behind the scenes she ran Chiang's election campaign. She was a masterful genius of propaganda - earning the epithet "The Chinese Goebbells" and her weekly broadcasts to America gave Chiang's presidency legitemacy. Though she played a prominent role in 1935 - it was afterwards and in the Second Reunification War that she would shine.
(Sorry for the time taken to update. As I've said in NPC - my best friend has recently confessed her romantic feelings to me after a long overseas trip - converting a previously unrequited love to a requited one. Needless to say we spent the whole weekend catching up.)
Thanks to everyone for their kind feedback and comments and the unexpected support I've received in the Turtledoves. Although I stand by my original endorsement for Geekhis's amazing Viva Balbo, I am nontheless flaterred and humbled by the level of support for this TL. A very sincere thank you to all my fans - especially Hendryk who has provided excellent advice.
Next Update: 1935 - The Generalissimo and the Widow.
- CCA
- Word Count: 680