Kuomintang
On the 24th of November 1894, Sun Yat-sen established the Revive China Society in Honolulu, Hawaii. This small group of revolutionaries sought to overthrow the Qing dynasty and establish a republic. The movement grew slowly until 1905 when Sun joined forces with other anti-monarchist societies in Tokyo, Empire of Japan. They formed the Tongmenghui, a unified organization committed to ending imperial rule. The group supported the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 which led to the founding of the Republic of China on the 1st of January 1912. Sun Yat-sen became provisional president but soon ceded power to Yuan Shikai who arranged for Emperor Puyi's abdication on the 12th of February. In December 1912, the Nationalists won an overwhelming majority in the first National Assembly election. Song Jiaoren emerged as the most influential member able to mobilize mass support from gentry and merchants. However, Yuan Shikai ignored parliament and began making presidential decisions without consultation. On the 20th of March 1913, Song Jiaoren was assassinated in Shanghai. Members suspected Yuan orchestrated the murder and staged the Second Revolution in July 1913. This poorly planned armed rising failed completely. Yuan dissolved the Nationalists in November 1914 and expelled all KMT adherents from parliament. Sun established the Chinese Revolutionary Party on the 8th of July 1914 while exiled in Japan. Many old revolutionaries including Huang Xing refused to join him or support his efforts. Sun returned to China in 1917 to establish a military junta at Canton but was forced out of office. He resurrected the Kuomintang on the 10th of October 1919 under its current name with headquarters in Canton. The party accepted Soviet aid in 1923 after being denied recognition by western powers. Mikhail Borodin arrived in China that year as Comintern agent to reorganize the KMT along Bolshevik lines. Chiang Kai-shek studied in Moscow for three months beginning in 1923 learning political and military systems from the Soviet Union.
Chiang Kai-shek assumed leadership of the Kuomintang on the 6th of July 1926 launching the Northern Expedition against northern warlords. With Soviet supplies he conquered southern half of China within nine months. Wang Jingwei led leftist allies taking Wuhan in January 1927 before declaring the National Government moved there. Chiang halted his campaign preparing violent break with communist allies. On the 12th of April 1927, the Shanghai massacre marked the expulsion of communists and their Soviet advisers. This event began the Chinese Civil War which would last until 1949. By end of 1949, the Communist Party controlled almost all mainland China while the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan with significant national treasures and two million people including military forces and refugees. Some party members stayed in mainland breaking away to found Revolutionary Committee of Kuomintang still existing today as minor registered party. In October 1945, General Chen Yi accepted Japan's surrender on behalf of Allied Powers proclaiming Taiwan Retrocession Day. Tensions between local Taiwanese and mainlanders culminated in flashpoint on the 27th of February 1947 when dispute between cigarette vendor and anti-smuggling officer triggered civil disorder lasting days. The uprising turned bloody ending in February 28 Incident where over thirty thousand intellectuals activists disappeared or died under KMT-led political repression known as White Terror. Following establishment of People's Republic of China on the 1st of October 1949 PLA commanders believed Kinmen and Matsu had to be taken before final assault on Taiwan. The KMT fought Battle of Guningtou from 25 to the 27th of October 1949 stopping PLA invasion. Headquarters set up on the 10th of December 1949 at No. 11 Zhongshan South Road. Chiang took office in Taipei under Temporary Provisions Effective During Period of Communist Rebellion declaring martial law halting democratic processes until mainland recovered. Slogan declared prepare first year start fighting second conquer third though eventually dropped July 1972 after many unsuccessful attempts.
From 1949 to 1987 the Kuomintang ruled Taiwan as one-party state following February 28 Incident. Martial law remained in effect curtailing civil liberties as part of anti-communism efforts. Over thirty thousand Taiwanese intellectuals activists and people suspected opposing KMT suffered death or disappearance during White Terror period. Chiang Kai-shek initiated Party Reform Program between 1950 and 1952 addressing widespread corruption factionalism bureaucratic inefficiency that plagued party contributing to defeat in Chinese Civil War. Campaign led by newly established Central Reform Committee eliminating defeatism factionalism bureaucratism dependency within ranks emphasizing institutionalization organizational cohesion transforming party culture. At National Congress held October 1952 Chiang declared reform success amending charter redefining Kuomintang as revolutionary democratic party drawing social base from youth intellectuals working agricultural classes positioning patriotic revolutionaries among these classes as core membership. Program marginalized rival factions like CC Clique paving way for rise figures Chen Cheng later Chiang Ching-kuo dominating decades ahead. Until 1970s KMT successfully pushed land reforms developing economy implementing democratic system lower government level improving relations mainland creating Taiwan economic miracle. However controlled government under one-party authoritarian state until reforms late 1970s through 1990s. ROC referred synonymously with KMT known simply Nationalist China after ruling party. In 1970s began allowing supplemental elections filling seats aging representatives National Assembly though opposition parties not permitted pro-democracy movement Tangwai created Democratic Progressive Party on the 28th of September 1986. Outside observers expected clampdown crushing illegal opposition party though did not occur marking beginning Taiwan democratization. Martial law ceased 1987 President Lee Teng-hui terminated Temporary Provisions Effective During Period of Communist Rebellion 1991 allowing all parties compete levels including presidential election.
Lee Teng-hui announced advocacy special state-to-state relations PRC associating idea Taiwan independence causing split 1993 leading formation New Party August 1993 alleged result Lee corruptive ruling style. Much more serious split occurred resulting 2000 presidential election upset choice Lien Chan party's presidential nominee former Secretary-General James Soong launched independent bid resulting expulsion Soong supporters forming People First Party the 31st of March 2000. KMT candidate placed third behind Soong elections. After election Lee strong relationship opponent became apparent preventing defections PFP Lien moved party away Lee pro-independence policies becoming favorable Chinese unification shift led Lee expulsion forming Taiwan Solidarity Union TSU by Lee supporters the 24th of July 2001. Prior voters defected both PFP TSU KMT doing poorly December 2001 legislative elections losing position largest party Legislative Yuan. However party did well 2002 local government mayoral council election Ma Ying-jeou Taipei mayor winning reelection landslide Kaohsiung mayor narrowly losing surprisingly well. Since 2002 KMT PFP coordinated electoral strategies. 2004 ran joint presidential ticket Lien running president Soong vice-president loss presidential election Chen Shui-bian DPP merely over thirty thousand votes bitter disappointment leading large scale rallies weeks protesting alleged electoral fraud odd circumstances shooting President Chen. Fortunes improved when KMT did well legislative elections December 2004 maintaining support southern Taiwan achieving majority Pan-Blue Coalition. Soon after appeared falling out junior partner People First Party talk merger seemed ended split widened early 2005 leader PFP James Soong reconciling President Chen Shui-Bian Democratic Progressive Party. Many PFP members legislators municipal leaders since defected KMT seen fading party. In 2005 Ma Ying-jeou became KMT chairman defeating speaker Wang Jin-pyng first public election chairmanship. KMT won decisive victory 3-in-1 local elections December 2005 replacing DPP largest party local level seen major victory ahead legislative elections 2007. Elections two municipalities ROC Taipei Kaohsiung December 2006 KMT won clear victory Taipei lost southern city Kaohsiung slim margin 1,100 votes. On the 13th of February 2007 Ma indicted Taiwan High Prosecutors Office charges allegedly embezzling approximately NT$11 million US$339,000 regarding special expenses while mayor Taipei. Shortly submitted resignation KMT chairman same press conference formally announced candidacy ROC president arguing customary officials use special expense fund personal expenses course official duties. December 2007 Ma acquitted all charges immediately filed suit prosecutors. In 2008 KMT won landslide victory Republic of China presidential election the 22nd of March 2008 fielded former Taipei mayor former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou running against DPP Frank Hsieh winning margin 17% against Hsieh. Ma took office the 20th of May 2008 vice-presidential candidate Vincent Siew ending eight years DPP presidency. Also won landslide victory 2008 legislative elections winning 81 113 seats 71.7% seats Legislative Yuan giving firm control executive legislative yuans.
Upon arriving Taiwan Kuomintang occupied assets previously owned Japanese forcing local businesses make contributions directly party. Some real estate other assets distributed loyalists most remained with party profits generated properties. As ruling party Taiwan amassed vast business empire banks investment companies petrochemical firms television radio stations thought world's richest political party assets once estimated US$2, 10 billion. Although war chest appeared help until mid-1990s later led accusations corruption often referred black gold. After 2000 financial holdings appeared more liability benefit KMT started divest itself assets transactions not disclosed whereabouts money earned selling assets unknown. Accusations 2004 presidential election KMT retained assets illegally acquired. During 2000, 2008 DPP presidency law proposed Legislative Yuan recover illegally acquired party assets return government. Due DPP lack control legislative chamber never materialized. KMT acknowledged part assets acquired extra-legal means thus promised retro-endow them government quantity assets classified illegal still under heated debate. DPP capacity ruling party 2000 to 2008 claimed much more KMT yet acknowledge. Also actively sold assets title quench recent financial difficulties DPP argues illegal. Former chairman Ma Ying-Jeou position KMT sell some properties below market rates rather return government details transactions publicly disclosed. In 2006 KMT sold headquarters 11 Zhongshan South Road Taipei Evergreen Group NT$2.3 billion US$96 million moved smaller building Bade Road eastern part city. July 2014 reported total assets NT$26.8 billion US$892.4 million interest earnings NT$981.52 million year 2013 making one richest political parties world. August 2016 Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee set up ruling DPP government investigate KMT party assets acquired martial law period recover those determined illegally acquired.
Kuomintang organized Leninist principle democratic centralism had several influences revolutionary thinking used words feudal counterrevolutionary synonyms evil backwardness proudly proclaimed revolutionaries. Chiang called warlords feudalists calling feudalism counterrevolutionaries stamped out Kuomintang. Chiang showed extreme rage called warlord word negative feudal connotations. Ma Bufang forced defend accusations stated news media army part National army people's power. Chiang warned Soviet Union other foreign countries interfering Chinese affairs personally angry way China treated foreigners mainly Soviet Union Britain United States. New Life Movement called crushing Soviet Western American other foreign influences China. Chen Lifu CC Clique member said Communism originated Soviet imperialism encroached country noted white bear North Pole known viciousness cruelty. Leaders across China adopted nationalist rhetoric. Chinese Muslim general Ma Bufang Qinghai presented himself Chinese nationalist fighting Western imperialism deflect criticism opponents government feudal oppressed minorities like Tibetans Buddhist Mongols. Used Chinese nationalist credentials advantage keep power. Blue Shirts Society ultranationalist paramilitary organization modeled Mussolini blackshirts anti-foreign anti-communist stating agenda expel foreign Japanese Western imperialists crush Communism eliminate feudalism. Anti-communist some members like Dai Li right-hand man Chiang Kai-shek anti-American wanting expel American influence. Close Sino-German ties promoted cooperation Nazi Germany Nationalist government sought build one-party ideological state China called Dang Guo solidify rule ideological supremacy. New Life Movement government-led civic movement 1930s initiated Chiang Kai-shek promote cultural reform Neo-Confucian social morality ultimately unite China centralized ideology following emergence ideological challenges status quo. Movement attempted counter threats Western Japanese imperialism resurrection traditional Chinese morality held superior modern Western values. Based Confucianism mixed Christianity nationalism authoritarianism similarities fascism rejected individualism liberalism opposing socialism communism. Some historians regard movement imitating Nazism neo-nationalistic movement elevate Chiang control everyday lives Frederic Wakeman suggested New Life Movement Confucian fascism Stanley G. Payne stated Chiang KMT normally classified multi-class populist nation-building party fitting candidate fascism except old-line Communists. Lloyd Eastman called Blue Shirts whose members admired European fascism influenced it Chinese fascist organization probably exaggeration certainly exhibited characteristics fascism many nationalist organizations around world clear-cut Asian variant fascism.
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Common questions
When was the Kuomintang established and by whom?
Sun Yat-sen established the Revive China Society on the 24th of November 1894 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This organization later evolved into the Kuomintang which was resurrected under its current name on the 10th of October 1919 with headquarters in Canton.
What happened during the Shanghai massacre involving the Kuomintang?
The Shanghai massacre occurred on the 12th of April 1927 when Chiang Kai-shek halted his campaign to prepare a violent break with communist allies. This event marked the expulsion of communists and their Soviet advisers from the Kuomintang and began the Chinese Civil War which lasted until 1949.
How did the Kuomintang rule Taiwan between 1949 and 1987?
From 1949 to 1987 the Kuomintang ruled Taiwan as a one-party state following the February 28 Incident where martial law remained in effect curtailing civil liberties. Over thirty thousand Taiwanese intellectuals activists and people suspected opposing KMT suffered death or disappearance during White Terror period while democratic processes were halted.
When did Ma Ying-jeou become president of the Republic of China under the Kuomintang?
Ma Ying-jeou took office as president of the Republic of China on the 20th of May 2008 after winning the presidential election held on the 22nd of March 2008. He won this election against DPP candidate Frank Hsieh by a margin of 17% and also secured a landslide victory in legislative elections that same year.
What is the estimated value of Kuomintang assets reported in July 2014?
In July 2014 reports stated total Kuomintang assets reached NT$26.8 billion US$892.4 million with interest earnings of NT$981.52 million for the year 2013. This financial standing made it one of the richest political parties in the world before the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee was set up in August 2016 to investigate those assets.