AGEOFDEVELOPMENTREVISION

The Kuomintang and its aims

SUNYATSEN

Aims: to modernise and reunite China; nationalism.The Three Principles: nationalism; democracy; reform.Achievements: established the KMT; links with the CCP; began process of developing KMT’s military strength; won popular support.Failures: by 1925, most of China still controlled by warlords.

CHIANGKAISHEK

Aims: Chinese nationalism; supported the wealthier groups (landowners, businessmen, etc.); opposed communism.KMT’s military strength: military training in Moscow; led Whampoa military academy; developed military strength of KMT (National Revolutionary Army).KMT gains power in China: KMT better organised and equipped than warlords; had popular support; increasing size of KMT forces; impact of Northern March; took major cities, including Peking (1928).Relationship with CCP: opposed communist desire for land reform; Purification Movement began in 1927; communists ejected from KMT.Disappointment with the KMT government: inefficient and corrupt; supported wealthy people rather than the majority; little social reform; poor working conditions; effects of poor harvests in 1930s.