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This is not necessarily a timeline, as I would have no time opening up a new TL project. Just an idea, and see if anyone is interested in taking up this project. In 1936, due to a couple of reasons, Zhang Xieliang did not stage the coup against Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek). In March 1937, Mao Zedong is caught and executed, along with others of the Communist leadership.

Despite the total defeat of the Communists, the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army continues its operation in Manchuria - after all, it receives orders directly from Moscow, instead of the Chinese Communist Party. The NAJUA continued to carry out guerrilla activities, until retreating to the Soviet Union in 1942.


[Above: the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army]


[Above: the First Central Committee of the Provisional People's Government of the Northeast Democratic Republic of China]

In 1945, the Soviet Union attacked Manchuria. The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, now part of the Soviet Red Army, was responsible for the liberation of Manchuria. After the Japanese surrender in August that year, the Soviet Union refused to return Manchuria to China. Instead, the Provisional People's Government of the Northeast Democratic Republic of China (which would be commonly referred as Manchuria) was proclaimed. Li Zhaolin, Zhou Baozhong, Wang Detai, Zhao Shangzhi, Yang Jingyu and Kim Song-ju would become members of the Central Committee of the Provisional People's Government.


Above: Li Zhaolin, first leader of Communist Manchuria

Outraged, Chiang Kai-shek decided that he would invade Manchuria, on the grounds that it is indisputably Chinese territories. However, Chiang would be too busy dealing with the post-war inflation and economic collapse. Severe corruption in China made Chiang very unpopular. In 1947, a small-scale protest in Taiwan turned into full-scale anti-government uprisings in all China. Zhu Ziqing soon emerged as the leader of the protest movement, and would lead a peaceful hunger strike in Zhongshan Square, Nanjing, near the presidential palace. The protesters demand democracy and science, oppose US military bases in China, and ask for tough actions against corruption. On June 4th, 1947, the Nationalist Army opens fire on the protesters in Nanjing, killing more than 1200. Zhu Ziqing fled to Manchuria, and would die a year later in Harbin.

Due to Zhu's defection to Manchuria, Chiang concludes that the protest movement was a Communist plot to destabilize China - and as a result, martial law is declared. Mass arrest of opposition leaders, intellectuals, writers and civilians takes place all across China, many of them would permanently disappear.

On January 12 1948, Li Zhongren, Bai Chongxi (Pai Chung-hsi), Lü Zhengcao, Zhang Xieliang and Yang Hucheng staged a coup against Chiang, and arrested several KMT leaders connected to the June 4th Incident in 1947. Despite that Li and Zhang do not mean to have Chiang killed, a group of angry soldiers who lost his brother during the June 4th Incident kill Chiang and all his family members. Sun Ko, son of Sun Yat-san is also murdered by the rebellious army. The government of Li Zhongren declares that it would begin land and agrarian reforms, as well as an anti-corruption campaign; and would expel American military personals from China. It has also sought cooperation with Moscow.


[Above: General Sun Liren, who led the counter-coup against Li Zhongren]

Once the death of Chiang is confirmed, the Nationalist Army unite under General Sun Liren and launch a counter-coup. Enjoying support from most Nationalist leaders controlling the provinces and the United States, the coup is crushed brutally, all coup leaders are either executed or go into exile in Manchuria - including Zhang Xieliang, who was once leader of all of the Northeast.

As China is now in turmoil, the Manchurian government under young and ambitious Li Zhaolin decides that it is the best time to unite China under Communist rule. However, Moscow remains opposed to such a plan, as it was too occupied with other issues, since the strength of the Nationalist Army is far stronger than that of the Northeastern Army.

Sun Liren would rule as a dictator, but decides that to avoid further problems, he has to control corruption and inflation. In 1949, a new currency is issued to replace the old one, while several unpopular and corrupted businessmen, national and provincial leaders including TV Soong are assassinated by agents of Dai Li. Several other political leaders that refuse to obey the order of Sun would also be assassinated.

In 1950, Sun Liren is elected President of the Republic of China, vacated since 1948, by the National Assembly. Once inaugurated, Sun declares that his primary priority is to unite China. In 1951, the Dalai Lama recognizes the authority of Sun Liren, as Nationalist Army "enters" Tibet. In March 1952, several units of the Third Route Army of Manchuria accidentally enters Chinese borders. Taking this opportunity, President Sun declares war on Manchuria, denouncing "Communist aggression". Moscow, who at first rejected the Manchurian government's request to invade China when China was in turmoil a few years ago, decides that it would provide relevant military assistance to counter "Chinese imperialist aggression".

At the same time, North Korea under Pak Hon-yong suddenly invades the South...
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