cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/5103306

Most people in the west probably don’t know this, but China actually ‘participated’ in WW1! But as a backwards country with two governments at this time, why did they do so? Why did they align with the Americans, when Germany had influence within the country? Did China receive any benefits from becoming a victor? Today I’ll answer these questions and more.

In 1914 China had promised to stay neutral in WW1. Before this point, China had only lost in wars against imperial powers, and few desired to take part in another potentially disastrous war. Besides, many warlords themselves held territory in China, and few would have left their holdings to die in europe when potential competitors could simply occupy their territory. In addition, different powerful warlords were backed by foreign powers from both sides, so there was little desire to participate in the global war at the time.

Germany, however, supported Zhang Xun, who attempted to revive the Qing dynasty, gambling that he would be able to create a German-aligned Chinese monarchy, even providing him with weapons. But Zhang Xun held little military power compared to other warlords, and by easily defeating him Japan-backed Duan Qirui could now call himself the defender of democracy. He reinstated the powerless president, Li Yuanhong, but he himself was appointed as leader of the cabinet. While the cabinet seemed to be engaged in fierce conflict with the President, in reality Li was pretty much alone in his struggle and was always at a massive disadvantage, despite his backing by the US. Primarily this was because Duan had the full power of the Wan clique behind him, while Li had few if any armies of his own.

The Americans wished for China to join the war on their side, promising to renegotiate some unequal treaties, and Li gladly agreed. Yet the Japanese, supporting Duan, soon began urging Duan to join the war too, seeking to secure what Yuan had promised them in the 21 lines. Seeing the Japanese support China’s entrance to the war, the US changed its tune and ordered Li to oppose the war.

Of course, this opposition could not be held for long, and Duan used German submarines sinking a ship carrying Chinese passengers as an excuse to cut off all ties with Germany, then declare war.

Despite declaring war, China never sent any troops to Europe, instead providing the entente with over 140000 laborers to aid the allies in constructing works, clearing mines, and other dangerous jobs. In the end, Germany was defeated, eliminating its influence in China, and many hoped that all German interests in China, such as the entire province of Shandong, could be returned to China. But things would not be so easy…

originally wanted to write a part 2 to my last post but too many things happened, so I’m going event by event here. Next post: the Treaty of Versailles and the 5-4 movement.\

https://baike.baidu.com/item/北洋军阀史/6241211

source this book. You can get it for about 50 yuan and autotranslate it with that camera app or something.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1AG4y1N78P/?spm_id_from=333.337.search-card.all.click

also this video from Soviet Monitor who is a platform verified expert on the warlord era.