Jump to content

Anhui clique: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
expanded upon military section + added hyperlinks
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
m Disambiguating links to Beijing Coup (link changed to 1924 Beijing Coup) using DisamAssist.
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Chinese faction during the Warlord Era}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Anhui Clique
| unit_name = Anhui Clique
| native_name = 皖系
| native_name = 皖系
Wǎn Xì
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| dates = 1916–1920
| dates = 1916–1926
| disbanded =
| disbanded = 1926
| country = {{flagdeco|China|1912}} [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]
| country = {{flagdeco|China|1912}} [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]
| countries =
| countries =
Line 14: Line 16:
| type = Warlord faction
| type = Warlord faction
| role =
| role =
| size = 40,000–100,000
| size = 300,000–500,000 (Estimate at peak)
| command_structure =
| command_structure =
| garrison =
| garrison =
Line 28: Line 30:
| equipment =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| equipment_label =
| battles = [[Zhili–Anhui War]] <br> [[Occupation of Mongolia]]
| battles = [[Zhili–Anhui War]] <br> [[Occupation of Mongolia]] <br> [[Constitutional Protection Movement]]
| decorations =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours =
Line 36: Line 38:
| current_commander =
| current_commander =
| commander1 = [[Duan Qirui]]
| commander1 = [[Duan Qirui]]
| commander1_label = President
| commander1_label = Premier
| commander2 =
| commander2 = [[Xu Shuzheng]]
| commander2_label =
| commander2_label = General
| commander3 =
| commander3 =
| commander3_label =
| commander3_label =
Line 84: Line 86:
| aircraft_general =
| aircraft_general =
}}
}}
The '''Anhui clique''' ({{Zh|t=皖系軍閥|s=皖系军阀|first=t|p=Wǎn Xì Jūn Fá}}) was a military and political organization, one of several mutually hostile [[Ruling clique|clique]]s or factions that split from the [[Beiyang clique]] in the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]'s [[Warlord Era]]. It was named after [[Anhui]] province because several of its generals–including its founder, [[Duan Qirui]]–were born in [[Anhui]].
The '''Anhui clique''' ({{Zh|t=皖系|s=皖系|first=t|p=Wǎn Xì}}) was a military and political organization, one of several mutually hostile [[Ruling clique|clique]]s or factions that split from the [[Beiyang clique]] in the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]]'s [[Warlord Era]]. It was named after [[Anhui]] province because several of its generals–including its founder, [[Duan Qirui]]–were born in [[Anhui]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Gao |first=James Z. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wJrLhcgog8oC |title=Historical Dictionary of Modern China (1800-1949) |date=2009-06-16 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6308-8 |language=en}}</ref>


The clique's main members were [[Duan Qirui]], [[Duan Zhigui]], [[Jin Yunpeng]], [[Wang Yitang]], [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]], [[Zhang Jingyao]], [[Wu Guangxin]], [[Chen Shufan]], [[Zheng Shiqi]], [[Xu Shuzheng]], etc.
The clique's main members were [[Duan Qirui]], [[Duan Zhigui]], [[Jin Yunpeng]], [[Wang Yitang]], [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]], [[Zhang Jingyao]], [[Wu Guangxin]], [[Chen Shufan]], [[Zheng Shiqi]], [[Xu Shuzheng]], etc.


The Anhui Clique was largely a collection of military officers with connections to Duan Qirui, either due to family ties such as [[Wu Guangxin]], being from the same locality such as [[Duan Zhigui]], or having a teacher-student relationship such as [[Xu Shuzheng]] or [[Jin Yunpeng]].<ref name="Nathan1976">Andrew J Nathan (1976). Peking politics, 1918-1923: factionalism and the failure of constitutionalism. University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies. ISBN 978-0-89264-131-4.</ref> However, the Anhui Clique would grow to be defined by the policy of Unification By Force, which would was the strategy of uniting North and South China through military conquest rather than peaceful negotiation.<ref name="Nathan1976" /> Their rivals in the [[Zhili Clique]] were opposed to Unification By Force, fracturing the Beijing governments of 1916 to 1920.<ref name="Nathan1976" />
Because the Anhui clique organized itself very early, it was more politically sophisticated than its warlord rivals.


Because the Anhui clique organized itself very early, it was more politically sophisticated than its warlord rivals, with an associated civilian wing being organised as the [[Anfu Club]].
==History==
With Japanese support and the suppression of the [[Manchu Restoration]], the Anhui clique became the most powerful faction in China from 1916 to 1920.


The Anhui clique had an uneasy co-existence with the [[Zhili clique]] and [[Fengtian clique]] in the politics of the [[Beiyang government]], often finding itself at odds with the two cliques.
The Anhui clique had an uneasy co-existence with the [[Zhili clique]] and [[Fengtian clique]] in the politics of the [[Beiyang government]], often finding itself at odds with the two cliques.

== History ==
During the [[National Protection War]] (1915–1916) Duan Qirui gave his support to the Kuomintang revolutionaries against [[Yuan Shikai]]. In 1916, after the death of [[Yuan Shikai]] and ending of the [[Constitutional Protection War]], Premier [[Duan Qirui]] would become Premier of the Republic, with [[Li Yuanhong]] serving as the President of the Republic, [[Li Yuanhong]] acted as a puppet of [[Duan Qirui]] due to him being easily manipulated essentially giving the Anhui Clique almost complete control over the [[Beiyang government|Beiyang Government]].

With Japanese support and the suppression of the [[Manchu Restoration]] in 1917, the Anhui clique became the most powerful faction in China from 1916 to 1920.


The Anhui clique advocated for a hardline approach during the [[Constitutional Protection War]], giving the revolutionaries his political support as Duan Qirui sought to become the President of the Republic.
The Anhui clique advocated for a hardline approach during the [[Constitutional Protection War]], giving the revolutionaries his political support as Duan Qirui sought to become the President of the Republic.
Line 101: Line 107:
In 1919 the [[May Fourth Movement]] weakened their influence and eventually led to the [[Zhili–Anhui War]] in 1920 which saw the surprise defeat of the Anhui clique.<ref name="Chan2010">{{cite book|author=Anthony B. Chan|title=Arming the Chinese: The Western Armaments Trade in Warlord China, 1920-28, Second Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6eXCgAAQBAJ&q=anhui+1919+mongolia&pg=PA69|date=1 October 2010|publisher=UBC Press|isbn=978-0-7748-1992-3|pages=69–}}</ref>
In 1919 the [[May Fourth Movement]] weakened their influence and eventually led to the [[Zhili–Anhui War]] in 1920 which saw the surprise defeat of the Anhui clique.<ref name="Chan2010">{{cite book|author=Anthony B. Chan|title=Arming the Chinese: The Western Armaments Trade in Warlord China, 1920-28, Second Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6eXCgAAQBAJ&q=anhui+1919+mongolia&pg=PA69|date=1 October 2010|publisher=UBC Press|isbn=978-0-7748-1992-3|pages=69–}}</ref>


In 1920 Duan Qirui resigned and the clique lacked national leadership for the next four years when all their provinces were eventually annexed by the Zhili clique by the summer of 1924. ([[Shandong]] was an anomaly, the Zhili clique appointed an Anhui general in 1923 there provided he remain neutral, see [[Shandong Problem]]. [[Zheng Shiqi]] ruled until 1925 when he transferred it to Fengtian's [[Zhang Zongchang]] per agreement with Duan.)
In 1920 Duan Qirui resigned and the clique lacked national leadership for the next four years when all their provinces were eventually annexed by the Zhili clique by the summer of 1924. ([[Shandong]] was an anomaly, the Zhili clique appointed an Anhui general in 1923 there provided he remain neutral, see [[Shandong Problem]]. [[Zheng Shiqi]] ruled until 1925 when he transferred it to Fengtian's [[Zhang Zongchang]] per agreement with Duan.)<ref name=":0" />


After the [[Beijing Coup]], [[Feng Yuxiang]] and [[Zhang Zuolin]] picked Duan to lead a provisional government. Lacking any significant military power, he and his few remaining supporters played Feng and Zhang against each other, they removed him from power and his last followers joined the Fengtian clique.<ref name="Chan2010" />
After the [[1924 Beijing Coup|Beijing Coup]], [[Feng Yuxiang]] and [[Zhang Zuolin]] picked Duan to lead a provisional government. Lacking any significant military power, he and his few remaining supporters played Feng and Zhang against each other, they removed him from power and his last followers joined the Fengtian clique.<ref name="Chan2010" /><ref name=":0" />


==Political wing==
==Political wing==
The Anhui clique also had a political wing known as the '''[[Anfu Club]]''' (literally, ''Peace and Happiness Club'', after a Beijing lane where they met; folk etymology claims it was a pun on Anhui and [[Fujian]]) which consisted of politicians that threw their fortune in with Duan.
The Anhui clique also had a political wing known as the '''[[Anfu Club]]''' (literally, ''Peace and Happiness Club'', after a Beijing lane where they met; folk etymology claims it was a pun on Anhui and [[Fujian]]) which consisted of politicians that threw their fortune in with Duan.


Formed on the 7th of March 1918 by [[Xu Shuzheng]] and [[Wang Yitang]], it ran for elections for the northern [[National Assembly of the Republic of China|National Assembly]] and won three-fourths of the seats primarily because Anhui warlords bought the votes.
Formed on 7 March 1918 by [[Xu Shuzheng]] and [[Wang Yitang]], it ran for elections for the northern [[National Assembly of the Republic of China|National Assembly]] and won three-fourths of the seats primarily because Anhui warlords bought the votes.


The Anfu Club was a highly disciplined party created to push Duan Qirui's agenda through legal means such as electing fellow party member [[Xu Shichang]] as [[President of the ROC]].
The Anfu Club was a highly disciplined party created to push Duan Qirui's agenda through legal means such as electing fellow party member [[Xu Shichang]] as [[President of the ROC]].
Line 117: Line 123:


==Financial wing==
==Financial wing==
Their financial wing was the '''New Communications Clique''' (1916–1919) led by [[Cao Rulin]]. It was the rival to [[Liang Shiyi]]'s [[Communications Clique|Old Communications Clique]]. Cao's conduct during the [[Paris Peace Conference, 1919|Paris Peace Conference]] led to the [[May Fourth Movement]] and his dismissal.<ref name="Chan2010" />
Their financial wing was the '''New Communications Clique''' (1916–1919) led by [[Cao Rulin]], it was the rival to [[Liang Shiyi]]'s [[Communications Clique|Old Communications Clique]].
Cao's conduct during the [[Paris Peace Conference, 1919|Paris Peace Conference]] led to the [[May Fourth Movement]] and his dismissal.<ref name="Chan2010" />


== Military ==
== Military ==
The Anhui Clique, as opposed to their civilian partners in the [[Anfu Club]], was primarily an association of generals and military governors.
The military of the Anhui clique named the Anhui Army consisted of at least 40,000 troops under the leadership of [[Duan Qirui]], [[Xu Shuzheng]], [[Duan Zhigui]], [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]], [[Zhang Jingyao]], [[Wu Guangxin]], [[Qu Tongfeng]], [[Chen Shufan]] and [[Zheng Shiqi]]

[[Duan Qirui]] commanded an army independent from the Ministry of War, originally named the War Participation Army, which was funded and trained by the Japanese and consisted of around 50,000 troops. [[Qu Tongfeng]] commanded the 1st Division, Ma Liang commanded the 2nd Division, and Chen Wenyuan commanded the 3rd Division. There were also five additional mixed brigades, stationed in [[Luoyang]], [[Zhangjiakou]] and the suburbs of [[Beijing]].<ref name="OfficialBook">印鋳局官書課 編『職員録』中華民國八年三期 3,印鋳局発行所,民国8. 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1912146 (参照 2024-05-31)</ref>

Within the Central Army, the official national army of the [[Beiyang Government|Beijing Government]], several generals and their divisions were loyal to the Anhui Clique. The 9th and 13th Division stationed near Beijing were led by Anhui Clique generals, Wei Zonghan and Li Jincai respectively, and the 15th Division led by Liu Xun would defect to the Anhui Clique following the death of Zhili Clique leader [[Feng Guozhang]].<ref name="Chronicle">{{Cite book |last=Guo |first=Tingyi |url=http://www.zhdh.org/zszj/index-31.htm |title=中華民國史事日誌 |publisher=中央硏究院近代史硏究所 |isbn=9789860459210|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604100210/http://www.zhdh.org/zszj/index-31.htm |archive-date=2019-06-04 |language=zh}}</ref> Additionally, in 1919, the 4th, 5th, 8th and 10th Divisions were led by Anhui Clique officers and were stationed in Anhui Clique-loyal provinces, along with several other mixed brigades.<ref name="OfficialBook" />

The last significant component of the Anhui Clique was the provincial military governors and local armies. [[Wu Guangxin]] commanded the Upper Yangtze Garrison, which controlled several brigades and a division in Western [[Hubei]].<ref name="OfficialBook" /> [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]] governed [[Zhejiang]] through the Zhejiang provincial army and [[He Fenglin]] served as the Military Commissioner of [[Shanghai]].<ref name="OfficialBook" /> [[Chen Shufan]], the nominal governor of [[Shaanxi]], controlled most of the South of his province with several local armies under his command.<ref name="Chronicle" /> The military governors of [[Shandong]] were subservient to [[Duan Qirui]], although it was plagued by intra-clique rivalries due to [[Jin Yunpeng]]'s influence in the province and Jin's rivalry with [[Xu Shuzheng]], who had subordinates such as Ma Liang and [[Qu Yingguang]] in the province.<ref name="Chronicle" /> [[Ni Sichong]], governor of [[Anhui]], was a major contributor to the Anhui Clique, and he controlled two armies in Anhui and Northern [[Jiangsu]].<ref name="Chronicle" /> The provinces of [[Gansu]], [[Fujian]] and [[Zhang Jingyao]]'s [[Hunan]] were reliant on the Anhui Clique and led by Anhui Clique governors. Other provinces such as Xinjiang, Shanxi, and Fengtian were politically associated with the Anhui Clique during 1918-1919 as their provincial delegations in the National Assembly were part of the Anfu Club.<ref name="Nathan1976" />


The Anhui Army fought during the [[Zhili–Anhui War|Zhili-Anhui War]] of 1920 and the [[Occupation of Mongolia|Occupation of Outter Mongolia]].
The Anhui Clique armies fought during the [[Constitutional Protection Movement|Constitutional Protection War]], [[Zhili–Anhui War|Zhili-Anhui War]] of 1920 and the [[Occupation of Mongolia|Occupation of Outer Mongolia]].<ref name=":0" />


The Anhui Army has received aid in the form of military equipment, advisors and more mostly from the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]].
The Anhui Clique has received aid in the form of military equipment, advisors and more mostly from the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]], they had also received aid from the French and British, most notably in the form of warplanes and armoured cars.


The Anhui Clique purchased weaponry such as bolt-action rifles and ammunition from the United States, France and others.
They had also received minimal aid from the Italians and British.


France provided planes used in the [[Manchu Restoration|bombing]] of the [[Forbidden City]].
The Anhui Army purchased weaponry and ammunition from the United States, France and others.


==Notable people==
==Known Members==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! width=120px | Name !! width=51px | !! width=150px | Years Present in the Clique !! Notes
|- bgcolor=#cccccc
! width=120px | Name !! width=51px | !! width=150px | Years of dominance !! Notes
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Duan Qirui]]
|| [[Duan Qirui]]
Line 144: Line 157:
徐樹錚
徐樹錚
|align=center| [[File:Xu Shuzheng.jpg|50px]]
|align=center| [[File:Xu Shuzheng.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916–1920 || - Duan Qirui's right-hand man
|| 1916–1925 || - Duan Qirui's right-hand man
- Led expedition that reconquered [[Mongolia]] and temporarily brought it back under control
- Led expedition that reconquered [[Mongolia]] and temporarily brought it back under control
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
Line 150: Line 163:
段芝貴
段芝貴
|align=center| [[File:Duanzhigui.jpg|50px]]
|align=center| [[File:Duanzhigui.jpg|50px]]
|| || - Minister of War: 1917–1919
|| 1916-1925 || - Minister of War: 1917–1919
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Jin Yunpeng]]
|| [[Jin Yunpeng]]
靳雲鵬
靳雲鵬
|align=center|[[File:Jin Yunpeng.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:Jin Yunpeng.jpg|50px]]
|| || - Premier: 1919–1921
|| 1916-1920 || - Premier: 1919–1921
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Wang Yitang]]
|| [[Wang Yitang]]
王揖唐
王揖唐
|align=center|[[File:Wang Yitang2.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:Wang Yitang2.jpg|50px]]
|| || - Chairman of the House of Representatives 1918–1920
|| 1916-1926 || - Chairman of the House of Representatives 1918–1920
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]]
|| [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]]
盧永祥
盧永祥
|align=center| [[File:Lu Yongxiang.jpg|50px]]
|align=center| [[File:Lu Yongxiang.jpg|50px]]
|| || - Ruler of Zhejiang and Shanghai, his refusal to hand over Shanghai caused the [[Second Zhili–Fengtian War]]
|| 1916-1926 || - Ruler of Zhejiang and Shanghai, his refusal to hand over Shanghai caused the [[Second Zhili–Fengtian War]]
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[He Fenglin]]
何丰林
|align=center| [[File:He Fenglin.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916-1926 || - Military Commissioner of Shanghai: 1919-1924
- Subordinate of [[Lu Yongxiang (warlord)|Lu Yongxiang]]
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Zhang Jingyao]]
|| [[Zhang Jingyao]]
Line 176: Line 195:
吳光新
吳光新
|align=center| [[File:Wu Guangxin.jpg|50px]]
|align=center| [[File:Wu Guangxin.jpg|50px]]
|| 1917–1926 || - Commander of the Upper Yangtze River Garrison: 1917-1920
|| 1917–1920 || - Governor of Hunan<ref>[http://www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=ft167nb0p4;brand=ucpress Edward A. Mccord, '''The Power of the Gun, The Emergence of Modern Chinese Warlordism''', University of California Press, Berkeley · Los Angeles · Oxford © 1993 The Regents of the University of California]</ref>
- Governor of Hunan: 1920<ref>[http://www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=ft167nb0p4;brand=ucpress Edward A. Mccord, '''The Power of the Gun, The Emergence of Modern Chinese Warlordism''', University of California Press, Berkeley · Los Angeles · Oxford © 1993 The Regents of the University of California]</ref>
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Ni Sichong]]
|| [[Ni Sichong]]
倪嗣衝
倪嗣衝
|align=center|[[File:Ni Sichong.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:Ni Sichong.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916-1920 || - Governor of [[Anhui]] Province 1917-1920
|| || - former supporter of Yuan Shikai's Empire; eliminated in the [[Zhili–Anhui War]]
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Qu Tongfeng]]<ref>[http://www.jiaodong.net/yantai/system/2005/03/11/000057471.shtml 保定士官学校第三任校长--曲同丰]</ref>
|| [[Qu Tongfeng]]<ref>[http://www.jiaodong.net/yantai/system/2005/03/11/000057471.shtml 保定士官学校第三任校长--曲同丰]</ref>
曲同豊
曲同豊
|align=center|[[File:QuTongfeng.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:QuTongfeng.jpg|50px]]
|| 19??–1920||- Front-line Commander-in-Chief of the Anhui Army: 19??–1920
|| 1916–1926||- Commander of the 1st Division of the Border Defence Army/National Stabilisation Army: 1919–1920
- Qu Tongfeng was named Commander-in-Chief during the Zhili-Anhui war
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Chen Shufan]]
|| [[Chen Shufan]]
陳樹藩
陳樹藩
|align=center|[[File:Chen Shufan.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:Chen Shufan.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916–1921 ||- General of the Anhui Army: 1916–1921
|| 1916–1922 ||- Governor of Shaanxi: 1916–1921
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Zhang Guangjian]]
張廣建
|align=center|[[File:Zhang Guangjian.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916–1920 ||- Governor of Gansu: 1914–1920
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Li Houji]]
李厚基
|align=center|[[File:Li Houji.jpg|50px]]
|| 1916–1921 ||- Governor of Fujian: 1914–1923
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Yang Shande]]
杨善德
|align=center|[[File:Yang Shande.jpg|50px]]
|| 1917–1919 ||- Governor of Zhejiang: 1917–1919
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Wang Yongquan (general)| Wang Yongquan]]
王永泉
|align=center|[[File:Wang Yongquan.jpg|50px]]
|| 1917–1923 ||- Division Commander stationed in Fujian
- Governor of Fujian: 1922
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[马良 (民国)| Ma Liang]]
马良
|align=center|[[File:Ma Liang.jpg|50px]]
|| 1917–1919 ||- Commander of the 2nd Division of the Border Defence Army/National Stabilisation Army: 1919–1920
- Creator of New Wushu form of Martial Arts {{Citation needed|reason=This fact appears in some form or the other on Baidu and his zh.wiki page. Also on other media but not academically.|date=June 2024}}
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Zheng Shiqi]]
|| [[Zheng Shiqi]]
鄭士琦
鄭士琦
|align=center|[[File:Zhengshiqi.jpg|50px]]
|align=center|[[File:Zhengshiqi.jpg|50px]]
|| 1923–1925 || - Military governor of Shandong (1923–25) and Anhui (1925).<ref>[http://www.fortunecity.com/athena/pearl/29/indexz.html Rulers Index Z] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307043729/http://www.fortunecity.com/athena/pearl/29/indexz.html |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref>
|| 1916–1925 || - Military governor of Shandong (1923–25) and Anhui (1925).<ref>[http://www.fortunecity.com/athena/pearl/29/indexz.html Rulers Index Z] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307043729/http://www.fortunecity.com/athena/pearl/29/indexz.html |date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref>
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|| [[Yang Yuting (warlord)| Yang Yuting]]
杨宇霆
|align=center|[[File:Yang Yuting.jpg|50px]]
|| 1918–1920 ||- Chief of Staff of the Fengtian Army Headquarters in Tianjin
- Staff Officer of the Northwest Frontier Defence Army <ref>Shenyang Local Chronicles Office, Shenyang Chronicles 17 People, Shenyang Publishing House, 2000.04, p.44</ref>
|- bgcolor=#E6E6FA
|}
|}



Latest revision as of 20:57, 28 November 2024

Anhui Clique
皖系 Wǎn Xì
Active1916–1926
Disbanded1926
Country Republic of China
AllegianceBeiyang government
TypeWarlord faction
Size300,000–500,000 (Estimate at peak)
EngagementsZhili–Anhui War
Occupation of Mongolia
Constitutional Protection Movement
Commanders
PremierDuan Qirui
GeneralXu Shuzheng

The Anhui clique (Chinese: 皖系; pinyin: Wǎn Xì) was a military and political organization, one of several mutually hostile cliques or factions that split from the Beiyang clique in the Republic of China's Warlord Era. It was named after Anhui province because several of its generals–including its founder, Duan Qirui–were born in Anhui.[1]

The clique's main members were Duan Qirui, Duan Zhigui, Jin Yunpeng, Wang Yitang, Lu Yongxiang, Zhang Jingyao, Wu Guangxin, Chen Shufan, Zheng Shiqi, Xu Shuzheng, etc.

The Anhui Clique was largely a collection of military officers with connections to Duan Qirui, either due to family ties such as Wu Guangxin, being from the same locality such as Duan Zhigui, or having a teacher-student relationship such as Xu Shuzheng or Jin Yunpeng.[2] However, the Anhui Clique would grow to be defined by the policy of Unification By Force, which would was the strategy of uniting North and South China through military conquest rather than peaceful negotiation.[2] Their rivals in the Zhili Clique were opposed to Unification By Force, fracturing the Beijing governments of 1916 to 1920.[2]

Because the Anhui clique organized itself very early, it was more politically sophisticated than its warlord rivals, with an associated civilian wing being organised as the Anfu Club.

The Anhui clique had an uneasy co-existence with the Zhili clique and Fengtian clique in the politics of the Beiyang government, often finding itself at odds with the two cliques.

History

[edit]

During the National Protection War (1915–1916) Duan Qirui gave his support to the Kuomintang revolutionaries against Yuan Shikai. In 1916, after the death of Yuan Shikai and ending of the Constitutional Protection War, Premier Duan Qirui would become Premier of the Republic, with Li Yuanhong serving as the President of the Republic, Li Yuanhong acted as a puppet of Duan Qirui due to him being easily manipulated essentially giving the Anhui Clique almost complete control over the Beiyang Government.

With Japanese support and the suppression of the Manchu Restoration in 1917, the Anhui clique became the most powerful faction in China from 1916 to 1920.

The Anhui clique advocated for a hardline approach during the Constitutional Protection War, giving the revolutionaries his political support as Duan Qirui sought to become the President of the Republic.

After the death of Yuan Shikai and his abdication of the Hongxiang Emperor the Beiyang government was restored to which Duan Qirui served as premier under the presidency of Li Yuanhong; Effectively giving Duan Qirui the leadership of China by controlling the weak President, the Clique would only rise in terms of power until 1920.

In 1919 the May Fourth Movement weakened their influence and eventually led to the Zhili–Anhui War in 1920 which saw the surprise defeat of the Anhui clique.[3]

In 1920 Duan Qirui resigned and the clique lacked national leadership for the next four years when all their provinces were eventually annexed by the Zhili clique by the summer of 1924. (Shandong was an anomaly, the Zhili clique appointed an Anhui general in 1923 there provided he remain neutral, see Shandong Problem. Zheng Shiqi ruled until 1925 when he transferred it to Fengtian's Zhang Zongchang per agreement with Duan.)[1]

After the Beijing Coup, Feng Yuxiang and Zhang Zuolin picked Duan to lead a provisional government. Lacking any significant military power, he and his few remaining supporters played Feng and Zhang against each other, they removed him from power and his last followers joined the Fengtian clique.[3][1]

Political wing

[edit]

The Anhui clique also had a political wing known as the Anfu Club (literally, Peace and Happiness Club, after a Beijing lane where they met; folk etymology claims it was a pun on Anhui and Fujian) which consisted of politicians that threw their fortune in with Duan.

Formed on 7 March 1918 by Xu Shuzheng and Wang Yitang, it ran for elections for the northern National Assembly and won three-fourths of the seats primarily because Anhui warlords bought the votes.

The Anfu Club was a highly disciplined party created to push Duan Qirui's agenda through legal means such as electing fellow party member Xu Shichang as President of the ROC.

Before the Zhili–Anhui War, it was also supported by the Fengtian clique, Xinjiang clique, and Shanxi clique.

The Anfu Club was later destroyed after the Zhili-Anhui War when the Assembly was disbanded.[3]

Financial wing

[edit]

Their financial wing was the New Communications Clique (1916–1919) led by Cao Rulin, it was the rival to Liang Shiyi's Old Communications Clique.

Cao's conduct during the Paris Peace Conference led to the May Fourth Movement and his dismissal.[3]

Military

[edit]

The Anhui Clique, as opposed to their civilian partners in the Anfu Club, was primarily an association of generals and military governors.

Duan Qirui commanded an army independent from the Ministry of War, originally named the War Participation Army, which was funded and trained by the Japanese and consisted of around 50,000 troops. Qu Tongfeng commanded the 1st Division, Ma Liang commanded the 2nd Division, and Chen Wenyuan commanded the 3rd Division. There were also five additional mixed brigades, stationed in Luoyang, Zhangjiakou and the suburbs of Beijing.[4]

Within the Central Army, the official national army of the Beijing Government, several generals and their divisions were loyal to the Anhui Clique. The 9th and 13th Division stationed near Beijing were led by Anhui Clique generals, Wei Zonghan and Li Jincai respectively, and the 15th Division led by Liu Xun would defect to the Anhui Clique following the death of Zhili Clique leader Feng Guozhang.[5] Additionally, in 1919, the 4th, 5th, 8th and 10th Divisions were led by Anhui Clique officers and were stationed in Anhui Clique-loyal provinces, along with several other mixed brigades.[4]

The last significant component of the Anhui Clique was the provincial military governors and local armies. Wu Guangxin commanded the Upper Yangtze Garrison, which controlled several brigades and a division in Western Hubei.[4] Lu Yongxiang governed Zhejiang through the Zhejiang provincial army and He Fenglin served as the Military Commissioner of Shanghai.[4] Chen Shufan, the nominal governor of Shaanxi, controlled most of the South of his province with several local armies under his command.[5] The military governors of Shandong were subservient to Duan Qirui, although it was plagued by intra-clique rivalries due to Jin Yunpeng's influence in the province and Jin's rivalry with Xu Shuzheng, who had subordinates such as Ma Liang and Qu Yingguang in the province.[5] Ni Sichong, governor of Anhui, was a major contributor to the Anhui Clique, and he controlled two armies in Anhui and Northern Jiangsu.[5] The provinces of Gansu, Fujian and Zhang Jingyao's Hunan were reliant on the Anhui Clique and led by Anhui Clique governors. Other provinces such as Xinjiang, Shanxi, and Fengtian were politically associated with the Anhui Clique during 1918-1919 as their provincial delegations in the National Assembly were part of the Anfu Club.[2]

The Anhui Clique armies fought during the Constitutional Protection War, Zhili-Anhui War of 1920 and the Occupation of Outer Mongolia.[1]

The Anhui Clique has received aid in the form of military equipment, advisors and more mostly from the Japanese, they had also received aid from the French and British, most notably in the form of warplanes and armoured cars.

The Anhui Clique purchased weaponry such as bolt-action rifles and ammunition from the United States, France and others.

France provided planes used in the bombing of the Forbidden City.

Known Members

[edit]
Name Years Present in the Clique Notes
Duan Qirui

段祺瑞

1916–1926 - Premier: 1913, 1916–18; President: 1924–26

- Negotiated the Nishihara Loans with Japan in exchange for Shandong Concession, triggering the May Fourth Movement

Xu Shuzheng

徐樹錚

1916–1925 - Duan Qirui's right-hand man

- Led expedition that reconquered Mongolia and temporarily brought it back under control

Duan Zhigui

段芝貴

1916-1925 - Minister of War: 1917–1919
Jin Yunpeng

靳雲鵬

1916-1920 - Premier: 1919–1921
Wang Yitang

王揖唐

1916-1926 - Chairman of the House of Representatives 1918–1920
Lu Yongxiang

盧永祥

1916-1926 - Ruler of Zhejiang and Shanghai, his refusal to hand over Shanghai caused the Second Zhili–Fengtian War
He Fenglin

何丰林

1916-1926 - Military Commissioner of Shanghai: 1919-1924

- Subordinate of Lu Yongxiang

Zhang Jingyao

張敬堯

1917–1920 - Governor of Hunan noted for his exceptional brutality

- Assassinated in 1933 after he became involved with the Japanese plot to enthrone Puyi as emperor of Manchukuo

Wu Guangxin

吳光新

1917–1926 - Commander of the Upper Yangtze River Garrison: 1917-1920

- Governor of Hunan: 1920[6]

Ni Sichong

倪嗣衝

1916-1920 - Governor of Anhui Province 1917-1920
Qu Tongfeng[7]

曲同豊

1916–1926 - Commander of the 1st Division of the Border Defence Army/National Stabilisation Army: 1919–1920
Chen Shufan

陳樹藩

1916–1922 - Governor of Shaanxi: 1916–1921
Zhang Guangjian

張廣建

1916–1920 - Governor of Gansu: 1914–1920
Li Houji

李厚基

1916–1921 - Governor of Fujian: 1914–1923
Yang Shande

杨善德

1917–1919 - Governor of Zhejiang: 1917–1919
Wang Yongquan

王永泉

1917–1923 - Division Commander stationed in Fujian

- Governor of Fujian: 1922

Ma Liang

马良

1917–1919 - Commander of the 2nd Division of the Border Defence Army/National Stabilisation Army: 1919–1920

- Creator of New Wushu form of Martial Arts [citation needed]

Zheng Shiqi

鄭士琦

1916–1925 - Military governor of Shandong (1923–25) and Anhui (1925).[8]
Yang Yuting

杨宇霆

1918–1920 - Chief of Staff of the Fengtian Army Headquarters in Tianjin

- Staff Officer of the Northwest Frontier Defence Army [9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Gao, James Z. (2009-06-16). Historical Dictionary of Modern China (1800-1949). Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6308-8.
  2. ^ a b c d Andrew J Nathan (1976). Peking politics, 1918-1923: factionalism and the failure of constitutionalism. University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies. ISBN 978-0-89264-131-4.
  3. ^ a b c d Anthony B. Chan (1 October 2010). Arming the Chinese: The Western Armaments Trade in Warlord China, 1920-28, Second Edition. UBC Press. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-0-7748-1992-3.
  4. ^ a b c d 印鋳局官書課 編『職員録』中華民國八年三期 3,印鋳局発行所,民国8. 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1912146 (参照 2024-05-31)
  5. ^ a b c d Guo, Tingyi. 中華民國史事日誌 (in Chinese). 中央硏究院近代史硏究所. ISBN 9789860459210. Archived from the original on 2019-06-04.
  6. ^ Edward A. Mccord, The Power of the Gun, The Emergence of Modern Chinese Warlordism, University of California Press, Berkeley · Los Angeles · Oxford © 1993 The Regents of the University of California
  7. ^ 保定士官学校第三任校长--曲同丰
  8. ^ Rulers Index Z Archived March 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Shenyang Local Chronicles Office, Shenyang Chronicles 17 People, Shenyang Publishing House, 2000.04, p.44

See also

[edit]