WI: Chiang Kai-shek died during the Xian Incident?

It was widely believed at the time that Chiang was the only man who could reasonably unite China and keep it together against the Japanese.

If he dies, any chance for unity in China is lost for the time being. No one else has the stature, credibility, or the influence/power to be the real head of China.

When Japan has another incident, like at the Marco Polo Bridge, it will not lead to a major war. Instead, Japan will succeed in slicing off another bit of China. And it will continue to do so since no one can effectively coordinate a response. Some warlords will collaborate with the Japanese. The ones who want to fight will know they cannot do so on their own.

Japan will slowly dominate China through a variety of measures - some places of direct control, some with indirect control like in Manchukuo or Mengukuo, some with collaborators among the warlords, or by slowly achieving trade and foreign policy concessions with the rump KMT government.
 
I think, and thus might be because his my favorite general, but Feng Hu-Hsiang had potential to lead the KMT, even if he would only control the left wing of the party.
 
No. Li Zongren would be better than Chiang.

It was widely believed at the time that Chiang was the only man who could reasonably unite China and keep it together against the Japanese.

If he dies, any chance for unity in China is lost for the time being. No one else has the stature, credibility, or the influence/power to be the real head of China.

When Japan has another incident, like at the Marco Polo Bridge, it will not lead to a major war. Instead, Japan will succeed in slicing off another bit of China. And it will continue to do so since no one can effectively coordinate a response. Some warlords will collaborate with the Japanese. The ones who want to fight will know they cannot do so on their own.

Japan will slowly dominate China through a variety of measures - some places of direct control, some with indirect control like in Manchukuo or Mengukuo, some with collaborators among the warlords, or by slowly achieving trade and foreign policy concessions with the rump KMT government.
 
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