Chiang Kai-Shek goes to Germany: An Axis China Timeline
- Thread starter CCA
- Start date
World Reaction to the "Shanghai Incident" and the fall of the Taisho Democracy
This mini-update should bring light to the Japan situation.
World Reaction to the "Shanghai Incident" and the fall of the Taisho Democracy
The reactions to the "Shanghai Incident" around the world were mixed and evolving. China's 'traditional' allies in Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union made a predictable stance - they 'deplored' Japanese 'Aggression' and 'supported the legitemate cause of the Chinese people against extra-territorialism.'
The position of the western powers was more complex. Although France and Britain had universally condemned the Japanese massacre on September 28 they were alarmed by the quick events that ended up placing Japanese Shanghai into Chinese hands - if it could happen to Japan - it could happen to them. The massacre of Japanese nationals and mob violence leading to the destruction of several foreign-owned properties did also not do much to help China's case. These factors, combined with Chiang's belicose election-campaign rhetoric and the support for China from Germany, Italy and the USSR served to worsen relations between China and the Western Powers. Pushing China even further to the hands of the very anti-western powers. Therefore with China seemingly falling into the 'non-western' camp the western powers turned to courting Japan.
You can see why they call him the "Lion" Prime Minister
Japananese reaction to the event was swift and led to the fall of the "Taisho Democracy" and the assasination of Osachi Hamaguchi. Called the "Lion Prime Minister" Hamaguchi was probably Japan's most successful democratic politician to date maintaining power for 6 long years. Under his tenure Japan successfully negotiated a 10:10:10 parity in the London Naval Conference and secured the basis for a Western Alliance. His economic policies also generated enough money to keep the militarists happy. His star rose even further with his government's assured response to the 1933 Earthquake - Hamaguchi seemed to prove that democracy could work for Japan. In 1934 he successfully introduced a universal suffrage bill which gave women the vote. However at the time of the "Shanghai Incident" Hamaguchi was overseas in South America attempting to secure some trade agreements to procure raw materials which the rapidly expanding Japanese economy needed and to bolster diplomatic relations. Although he cut his trip short, by the time he returned the Chinese had already taken Shanghai. Seeing no merit in a futile expedition to regain Shanghai he sought the support of the League of Nations and the support of the Western Powers before he took military action.
For the Japanese ultranationalists, this was not the right answer. Hamaguchi was murdered by a fanatical ultranationalist and a right-wing military junta led by Senjuro Hayashi. They used Hamaguchi's assasination as a pretext for dissolving democracy and granting themselves 'extra-constitutional rights' to 'protect the Emperor and his Realm.' It is a great historical irony that just as China was entering into the pantheon of democratic nations, Japan was leaving it and that this two would be fighting the Second Great War on opposite sides.
That Japanesse...
Two Updates in one days... this is awesome(yesterday i was a little sick an can post in the night) and an very good one(about the japanesse... that explain why they were so tame so far...), well there are my opinions of the Update:
As you and now i said, This post show the Ironies of the alternate history... when in the first years china was like a kinda like police state(to give them a term) they now are becoming slowly a kinda form of Democracy(like nominally was the SU for some years) and so far, the most 'democratic' member of the 'Axis, and Japan, who was enjoyed more years of the so called 'Taisho Democracy' and some social progress(Women Sufrage is big), was destroyed by the militarist,..being the a Big Dictadorship in the 'Allies'...
But Again, you don't read my post( I think no), 1935-1936 IS SO EARLY FOR ANOTHER WORLD WAR, NEITHER THE GERMANS, EVEN THE SOVIETS... are ready for so massive war(the Wallies barely, but still, Isolationism was a doctrine in Western Europe until the 'Nazis Crisis'), in fact,this will be a more massive Second Sino-Japanesse War who gonna degenated in a proxy war between the 'Allies' and an 'Axis'(Hitler and Stalin can be in a Alliance so long)... Again Waiting Asnwer for that
Great Update by the way CCA, give us more details about the world and the future factions in the Upcoming event, keep there
Att
Nivek von Beldo
THE AHISTORICAL IRONY
.
Two Updates in one days... this is awesome(yesterday i was a little sick an can post in the night) and an very good one(about the japanesse... that explain why they were so tame so far...), well there are my opinions of the Update:
As you and now i said, This post show the Ironies of the alternate history... when in the first years china was like a kinda like police state(to give them a term) they now are becoming slowly a kinda form of Democracy(like nominally was the SU for some years) and so far, the most 'democratic' member of the 'Axis, and Japan, who was enjoyed more years of the so called 'Taisho Democracy' and some social progress(Women Sufrage is big), was destroyed by the militarist,..being the a Big Dictadorship in the 'Allies'...
But Again, you don't read my post( I think no), 1935-1936 IS SO EARLY FOR ANOTHER WORLD WAR, NEITHER THE GERMANS, EVEN THE SOVIETS... are ready for so massive war(the Wallies barely, but still, Isolationism was a doctrine in Western Europe until the 'Nazis Crisis'), in fact,this will be a more massive Second Sino-Japanesse War who gonna degenated in a proxy war between the 'Allies' and an 'Axis'(Hitler and Stalin can be in a Alliance so long)... Again Waiting Asnwer for that
Great Update by the way CCA, give us more details about the world and the future factions in the Upcoming event, keep there
Att
Nivek von Beldo
The First Kuomintang Government:
Ok Another update today (I'm on a creativity roll!)
Nivek - don't worry, the Second Great War isn't quite starting yet and won't be for a few more years...
erich von changstein - and more you will have!
scourge - perhaps! spoiler:
the second great war will have a Japanese, Britain and France + minor nations vs China, Germany, Italy + minor nations with Soviet and USA staying 'neutral' Or is it!!!???
End spoiler
Anyway without further ado:
______________________________________________________________
The First Kuomintang Government:
Although Chiang was shocked at the large number of votes that the "Left" received during the 1935 election - he appeared to accept the result and appointed Wang Jingwei - his ideological rival as Prime Minister. Less controversially, T.V Soong was appointed as Premier. The following is the composition of the Government of China at the beginning of 1936.
(Not all Ministers, Secretaries and Commissars are included - only the most important ones)
President and Supreme Field Marshall: Chiang Kai-Shek
Prime Minister: Wang Jingwei (Foreign Affairs Minister)
Premier: T.V Soong (Finance Minister)
Speaker of the House: Lin Sen
Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs: T.V Soong
Secretary of Economic Development: H.H Kung
Secretary of Transportation and Communication: Deng Xiaoping
Commisar for Regional Development: Soong-Ailing
Minister(Mistress?) of the Interior: Soong-Meiling (Women's Affairs )
Secretary for Ethnic Affairs: Soong-Qingling
Secretary for Labour Relations: Mao Zedong
Ministry of Defence: Chiang Kai-Shek
Secretary for War Production and Arnaments: He Yingquin
Secretary of Aviation: Feng Ru
Secretary of Maritime Affairs: Chan Chak
Secretary of the National Revolutionary Army: Bai Chonxi
Ministry for Statistics and Information: Dai Li
Ministry for Information and Propaganda: Soong-Meiling
...The First Kuomintang Government revealed how much of a 'sham' democracy was in China. Out of the 8 "Great Offices" of the realm - only one was held by an elected person - Wang Jingwei and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The allocation of portfolio was essentially created by the diktat of Chiang who placed Wang in the Foreign Affairs portfolio in an attempt to marginalize him and neuter him as a political threat....
- Chiang: Portrait of a Dictator
...The Progressive nature of the first Kuomintang Government can be visibly seen in the appointment of women to senior level positions. China had it's first female minister in charge of the powerful Interior Ministry. Although "Madame Chiang" was arguably there only because of her husband - she served competently and was instrumental in the creation of the "people's radio" and a vast network of radio. Indeed by 1940 - over 75% of China had access to Radio - an outstanding figure....
- Madame Chiang: China's Dowager President
...My appointment to the Secretariat of Transportation and Communication greatly surprized me. I was a minor figure in the Kuomintang at the time and was very young for my age. Although I was honoured to serve China in whatever best way I could I soon found out that my appointment was a mere token one and that the real power lay in the hands of Madame Chiang...
- Deng Xiaoping
Whatever the reason for the appointment of the various ministers, secretaries and commisars - one thing was clear: They would all have to work together for the betterment of China - history was theirs for the making.
Nivek - don't worry, the Second Great War isn't quite starting yet and won't be for a few more years...
erich von changstein - and more you will have!
scourge - perhaps! spoiler:
the second great war will have a Japanese, Britain and France + minor nations vs China, Germany, Italy + minor nations with Soviet and USA staying 'neutral' Or is it!!!???
End spoiler
Anyway without further ado:
______________________________________________________________
The First Kuomintang Government:
Although Chiang was shocked at the large number of votes that the "Left" received during the 1935 election - he appeared to accept the result and appointed Wang Jingwei - his ideological rival as Prime Minister. Less controversially, T.V Soong was appointed as Premier. The following is the composition of the Government of China at the beginning of 1936.
(Not all Ministers, Secretaries and Commissars are included - only the most important ones)
President and Supreme Field Marshall: Chiang Kai-Shek
Prime Minister: Wang Jingwei (Foreign Affairs Minister)
Premier: T.V Soong (Finance Minister)
Speaker of the House: Lin Sen
Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs: T.V Soong
Secretary of Economic Development: H.H Kung
Secretary of Transportation and Communication: Deng Xiaoping
Commisar for Regional Development: Soong-Ailing
Minister(Mistress?) of the Interior: Soong-Meiling (Women's Affairs )
Secretary for Ethnic Affairs: Soong-Qingling
Secretary for Labour Relations: Mao Zedong
Ministry of Defence: Chiang Kai-Shek
Secretary for War Production and Arnaments: He Yingquin
Secretary of Aviation: Feng Ru
Secretary of Maritime Affairs: Chan Chak
Secretary of the National Revolutionary Army: Bai Chonxi
Ministry for Statistics and Information: Dai Li
Ministry for Information and Propaganda: Soong-Meiling
...The First Kuomintang Government revealed how much of a 'sham' democracy was in China. Out of the 8 "Great Offices" of the realm - only one was held by an elected person - Wang Jingwei and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The allocation of portfolio was essentially created by the diktat of Chiang who placed Wang in the Foreign Affairs portfolio in an attempt to marginalize him and neuter him as a political threat....
- Chiang: Portrait of a Dictator
...The Progressive nature of the first Kuomintang Government can be visibly seen in the appointment of women to senior level positions. China had it's first female minister in charge of the powerful Interior Ministry. Although "Madame Chiang" was arguably there only because of her husband - she served competently and was instrumental in the creation of the "people's radio" and a vast network of radio. Indeed by 1940 - over 75% of China had access to Radio - an outstanding figure....
- Madame Chiang: China's Dowager President
...My appointment to the Secretariat of Transportation and Communication greatly surprized me. I was a minor figure in the Kuomintang at the time and was very young for my age. Although I was honoured to serve China in whatever best way I could I soon found out that my appointment was a mere token one and that the real power lay in the hands of Madame Chiang...
- Deng Xiaoping
Whatever the reason for the appointment of the various ministers, secretaries and commisars - one thing was clear: They would all have to work together for the betterment of China - history was theirs for the making.
Wyragen-TXRG4P
Banned
Doubleplusgood, good sir! 
At this point, it certainly wouldn´t start a war in europe, just remain a regional quarrel.
Japanese and Chinese starting fighting early would ensure that (at least) the Chinese military is at least somewhat ready by the time the war start and give a massive fight early in it.
At this point, it certainly wouldn´t start a war in europe, just remain a regional quarrel.
Japanese and Chinese starting fighting early would ensure that (at least) the Chinese military is at least somewhat ready by the time the war start and give a massive fight early in it.
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Excellent updates! So glad to see this again. Love the Osachi Hamaguchi butterfly. He lives longer and makes the Taisho Democracy viable, I'm assuming? he certainly seems to have avoided the China Quagmire so far.
The Spanish Concession in Tianjin and the "Tianjin Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps"
FDW - thanks
Wyragen-TXRG4P - they're not at war yet compadre OR ARE THEY
erich von changstein - Done
Sergio Van Lukenstein - Or a red herring
tjvuse - thanks
Geekhis Khan - Well yes and no - one could argue that if the Shanghai Incident had not taken place then Taisho Democracy could have continued and the Second Great War could have been fought by a Democratic Japan - on the other hand the quick way it was dispatched raises serious questions about it's long term viability. Still the positive experience of democracy have given Japanese Democrats a model to use in the aftermath of the Second Great War...
Without further ado:
______________________________________________________________
The Spanish Concession in Tianjin and the "Tianjin Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps"
A snapshot of the small Catholic church that the Spanish established
The Spanish Concession in Tianjin, although never massive in size, scope or importance would play an important role in the Spanish Civil War. The "Humiliation Treaty" signed in Beijing in 1927 granted a small 2km area to the Spanish - these concession areas were mostly from the (returned) Italian, Belgian and Austro-Hungarian Concession zones. In 1936 the Concession zone had a population of about 10000, about a tenth of which was foreign. The Spanish didn't try and do much with the concession. A small catholic church was established by Jesuit missionaries the "Wang Hai Lou." The "Governor" of the small concession was the head of the Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps: General Francisco Franco.
Francisco Franco in better times.
The "Tianjn Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps" was a small force of 100 men - mostly Morrocans with a small auxilary force of Chinese. They were tasked with keeping order in the city and because of the small population and placid and 'hands off' nature of Spanish rule were mostly succesful in doing so.
This was despite the state of the Corps Commander and Governor. Francisco Franco had stupped into a narcotic stupor since being 'exiled' to Tianjin for his role in suppresing the Asturias Strike. Although he was a useful tool for Lerroux to suppress the anarchists - Franco was inflammatory to keep around in Spain - so although he was formally given a promotion in order to lead a 'Corps' - his actual command of 100+ soldiers was negligable.
Exile seems to have broken Franco's spirit - he was known to frequent opium dens and brothels in Tianjin. Given the mass of anecdotal evidence we have of his 'adventures' it is very surprising that no news of this seems to have gotten to Spain. This is tribute to the personal loyalty and affection that Franco's soldiers had for him.
Word of a military uprising reached Franco's ear in July 1 1936 seems to have been a catalyst for his recovery. In his own words: "all of a sudden, I saw a flashing blind light and the voice of angels singing... I saw a disturbing vision... Angels carrying the banner of the Republic being mowed down...It was then I knew that I was destined to save the Republic." Franco declared for the Republic two days later - however he could do little as he was stuck literally more than 2000 miles away with no way to get to Spain. Franco however, was filled with a brand new determination to save what he now referred to as his "Beloved Republic."
- Franco: Saviour of the Republic
Conventional 'histories' of Francisco Franco - being little more than thinly veiled hagiographies tend to focus on the 'quasi-religious' aspect of Franco's 'mission' to save the Republic. However recently opened archives in Nanking reveal that Franco was in fact subject of an intensive campaign to manipulate and 'brainwash' him. The papers reveal that Franco had been under surveillance by the Census Bureau for quite some time. Franco's addiction to opiates and other narcotics gave the Bureau leverage over Franco and his 'religious vision' seems to have been staged or planted on his mind subconciously using drugs and mind manipulation techniques. That the Republic still continues to celebrate Franco Day despite this coming to light is a symbol of the moral bankruptcy and decay of bourgeioise Republicanism.
- International Socialist Review, July 1 2010
Wyragen-TXRG4P - they're not at war yet compadre
OR ARE THEYerich von changstein - Done
Sergio Van Lukenstein - Or a red herring
tjvuse - thanks
Geekhis Khan - Well yes and no - one could argue that if the Shanghai Incident had not taken place then Taisho Democracy could have continued and the Second Great War could have been fought by a Democratic Japan - on the other hand the quick way it was dispatched raises serious questions about it's long term viability. Still the positive experience of democracy have given Japanese Democrats a model to use in the aftermath of the Second Great War...
Without further ado:
______________________________________________________________
The Spanish Concession in Tianjin and the "Tianjin Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps"
A snapshot of the small Catholic church that the Spanish established
The Spanish Concession in Tianjin, although never massive in size, scope or importance would play an important role in the Spanish Civil War. The "Humiliation Treaty" signed in Beijing in 1927 granted a small 2km area to the Spanish - these concession areas were mostly from the (returned) Italian, Belgian and Austro-Hungarian Concession zones. In 1936 the Concession zone had a population of about 10000, about a tenth of which was foreign. The Spanish didn't try and do much with the concession. A small catholic church was established by Jesuit missionaries the "Wang Hai Lou." The "Governor" of the small concession was the head of the Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps: General Francisco Franco.
Francisco Franco in better times.
The "Tianjn Far East Spanish Expeditionary Corps" was a small force of 100 men - mostly Morrocans with a small auxilary force of Chinese. They were tasked with keeping order in the city and because of the small population and placid and 'hands off' nature of Spanish rule were mostly succesful in doing so.
This was despite the state of the Corps Commander and Governor. Francisco Franco had stupped into a narcotic stupor since being 'exiled' to Tianjin for his role in suppresing the Asturias Strike. Although he was a useful tool for Lerroux to suppress the anarchists - Franco was inflammatory to keep around in Spain - so although he was formally given a promotion in order to lead a 'Corps' - his actual command of 100+ soldiers was negligable.
Exile seems to have broken Franco's spirit - he was known to frequent opium dens and brothels in Tianjin. Given the mass of anecdotal evidence we have of his 'adventures' it is very surprising that no news of this seems to have gotten to Spain. This is tribute to the personal loyalty and affection that Franco's soldiers had for him.
Word of a military uprising reached Franco's ear in July 1 1936 seems to have been a catalyst for his recovery. In his own words: "all of a sudden, I saw a flashing blind light and the voice of angels singing... I saw a disturbing vision... Angels carrying the banner of the Republic being mowed down...It was then I knew that I was destined to save the Republic." Franco declared for the Republic two days later - however he could do little as he was stuck literally more than 2000 miles away with no way to get to Spain. Franco however, was filled with a brand new determination to save what he now referred to as his "Beloved Republic."
- Franco: Saviour of the Republic
Conventional 'histories' of Francisco Franco - being little more than thinly veiled hagiographies tend to focus on the 'quasi-religious' aspect of Franco's 'mission' to save the Republic. However recently opened archives in Nanking reveal that Franco was in fact subject of an intensive campaign to manipulate and 'brainwash' him. The papers reveal that Franco had been under surveillance by the Census Bureau for quite some time. Franco's addiction to opiates and other narcotics gave the Bureau leverage over Franco and his 'religious vision' seems to have been staged or planted on his mind subconciously using drugs and mind manipulation techniques. That the Republic still continues to celebrate Franco Day despite this coming to light is a symbol of the moral bankruptcy and decay of bourgeioise Republicanism.
- International Socialist Review, July 1 2010
The Vulture
Banned
Whoa! Butterflies the size of Mothra here.
Franco is going to be remembered as some kind of mystic, by the looks of it. A similar legacy as von Ungern-Sternberg.
This is a great TL, glad to see it back.
Franco is going to be remembered as some kind of mystic, by the looks of it. A similar legacy as von Ungern-Sternberg.
This is a great TL, glad to see it back.
Not very surprising. True it's the third incarnation, but a quick google search revealed that the ISR is a bi-monthly released in the US to this day.
Hey you stole my catchphrase(even when in is topic where become popular
), well, excellent than CCA update the timeline, now comment about the new theme:WAIT.... WHAT? Again like The Vulture say: that was a mothra sized butterfly, even me didn't know who that was coming(even knowing that little spoiler) but in some ways...
The Role of Franco for the nationalist is overrated.. he only have the power of the movement after the dead of Jose Sanjuro(who was for fram away better officer than franco both OTL and ITTL) and with the butterflies.. i think him can survive... even with chinesse support, the republican was doomed when the 'Entente-Allies' embrargo them the sales of armament with their filrt with the Soviets, and TTL will be worse with the new sable-rattle with China, in fact the reasons why the republicans are doomed still there.... I want to see how do you change the SCW(who I'm in fact know only several superfictial details) but with the Franco Day.. that means that the Spanish Republic know is more in the Center than the Left sovietphilia or it isn't?
This Timeline always keep to surprise me(like the former policital update... Mao and Deng working with Chang?? if the chinesse saw that, they can tall you insane), well keep with them
ATT
Nivek von Beldo
