1. The historical background of Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance.
1.Domestic and foreign political environment.
During Chiang Kai-shek's reign, China was facing severe internal and external pressures. Domestic politics are corrupt, people's livelihood is withering, warlords are divided, and society is in turmoil. Internationally, the aggression of Japanese imperialism against China has intensified day by day, and the Western powers have also eyed China. Against this background, Chiang Kai-shek put forward the policy of "reassuring the outside world before reassuring the interior", focusing his energies on suppressing the revolutionary forces at home and adopting an attitude of non-resistance to Japanese aggression.
2.Chiang Kai-shek's political attitude.
Chiang Kai-shek had always regarded the Communist Party as a serious danger to his mind, and saw its existence as a threat to his dominance. Therefore, he focused his main efforts on "suppressing the Communists" and adopted a compromise attitude towards Japanese aggression. In Chiang Kai-shek's view, only by first eliminating the Communist Party could he resist Japanese aggression with all his might.
3.Comparison of domestic and foreign strength.
At that time, China's military strength was far inferior to Japan's, and the country's economic situation was poor, and the people were living in poverty. Under these circumstances, Chiang Kai-shek believed that China could not compete with Japan and therefore opted for a policy of non-resistance.
2. The reasons for Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance.
1.Eliminate the threat of Zhang Xueliang.
Before the September 18 Incident, Zhang Xueliang's influence in the northeast was growing day by day, and he became a strong opponent of Chiang Kai-shek. After the Japanese occupation of Northeast China, Zhang Xueliang's power was severely weakened, and Chiang Kai-shek was able to take the opportunity to eliminate a potential threat.
2.Take the opportunity to expand the army.
Chiang Kai-shek had been trying to expand his military power, but lacked funds. He probably thought that by borrowing from Japan, the funding problem could be solved. In addition, Chiang Kai-shek hoped to use the support of Japan to eliminate the Communists.
3.Awareness of the Red Army.
Chiang Kai-shek believed that the Red Army had lost so much strength after the Long March that it no longer posed a threat to his rule. Thus, he could temporarily put aside his hostility to the Communists and concentrate on dealing with Japanese aggression.
4.Misjudgment of the international situation.
Chiang Kai-shek mistakenly believed that the international community would impose sanctions on Japan to force Japan to abandon its aggression against China. However, this was not the case with the international situation at that time. The Soviet Union, for the sake of its own interests, adopted a compromise attitude towards Japanese aggression. Britain, the United States and other countries have also had no time to take care of anything else because of their own economic crisis.
5.Miscalculation of Japan.
Chiang Kai-shek believed that Japan could attack the Soviet Union, and he himself was confident that he would be able to resist Japanese aggression. Therefore, he opted for a policy of non-resistance, trying to avoid a full-scale war with Japan.
3. The impact of Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance.
1.It intensified the anti-Japanese sentiment of the domestic population.
Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance led to growing hatred of the Japanese invaders at home. This sentiment laid the foundation for the later national war of resistance.
2.Fueled the arrogance of the Japanese invaders.
Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance made the Japanese invaders think that China was weak and could be bullied, and further intensified their aggression against China.
3.weakened the prestige of the Kuomintang.
Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance greatly reduced the prestige of the Kuomintang in the hearts of the people. Many people began to lose confidence in the Kuomintang and turned to support the Communist Party.
4.It has exacerbated domestic political turmoil.
Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance exacerbated the domestic political turmoil. On the one hand, there were capitulation factions and anti-war factions within the KuomintangOn the other hand, the influence of the Communist Party among the people has gradually increased.
Conclusion. Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance arose in a specific historical context. This policy not only intensified the anti-Japanese sentiment of the domestic people and fueled the arrogance of the Japanese invaders, but also weakened the prestige of the Kuomintang and aggravated the domestic political turmoil. However, it was against this background that the National War of Resistance finally broke out, and the Chinese people waged an arduous struggle for national independence and dignity.