Chinese and Taiwanese History

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Xi'an Incident

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | | Copyright

Xi'an Incident (12–25 Dec. 1936) After nine years, Chiang Kai-shek's policy of fighting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) before turning against the foreign aggressor, Japan, had come under increasing criticism within his own ranks, especially in the northern armies which had lost Manchuria to the Japanese in 1931 (Manchukuo). In early 1936, their leader, Chang Hsüeh-liang, entered secret negotiations with the Communist Party about a common front against the Japanese. When Chiang Kai-shek came to Chang's headquarters in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, in order to discuss his latest strategic plan for a battle against the Communists, Chang put him under house arrest. After being held for thirteen days, Chiang finally agreed to Chang's eight demands, mainly an end to civil war, and a United Front with the Communists against the Japanese. Chang accompanied Chiang back to Nanjing, whereupon it was Chang's turn to be detained and this lasted for as long as Chiang was alive (though from 1949 he was under house arrest).

Sino-Japanese War

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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Xi'an Incident." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Xi'an Incident." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-XianIncident.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Xi'an Incident." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-XianIncident.html

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Xi'an incident

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Xi'an incident (December 1936) The kidnapping of the Chinese leader CHIANG KAI-SHEK while visiting disaffected Manchurian troops at Xi'an. Chiang was captured by conspirators headed by Zhang Xueliang, who attempted to force him to give up his campaign against the communists and lead a national war against the Japanese, who had occupied Manchuria in 1931. After Chiang had refused to accede to their demands, the communists, headed by ZHOU ENLAI, also became involved in the negotiations and eventually Chiang was released, having promised to take a more active role against the Japanese and to allow local autonomy to the communists. Zhang Xueliang was imprisoned by Chiang, but the incident led to limited co-operation between the communists and the KUOMINTANG against the Japanese.

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"Xi'an incident." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Xi'an incident." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Xianincident.html

"Xi'an incident." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Xianincident.html

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