MeganPL

// To what extent did Chiang Kai Shek implement the principle of peoples livelihood in the period 1928-1937? //
The death of Sun Yet-Sen in 1925 left a legacy and political philosophy that his successor Chiang Kai Shek was expected to take on and control by continuing the newly formed nationalist government referred to as the GMD. It became evident overtime of the success and failures of the three principles implemented for the republic of China, with evidently the most significant downfall for the nationalist government being the third principle of People’s livelihood. Sun’s vision stressed the importance of people’s livelihood, for the revolutionary government to take responsibility on providing primary needs to every citizen of China. However in close analysis on the ways in which Chiang implement this principle demonstrates the way in which Chiang failed in winning the support of the Chinese peasantry which dominated 80 percent of China’s population.

During the start of Chang Kai Shek’s ruling it can be demonstrated that a great deal was achieved in regards to the principle of livelihood. Education and finance were greatly improved during the period 1928-1937, with infrastructure contributing to the modernization of China. The extensions of railways, roads and highways impacting however, only on military use rather that to benefit the economy and its people. Many modification were implementing on the finance of China by changing tradition from silver tael to standard silver dollars in 1933, than replaced by paper currency in 1935. Once again this did little to stimulate the economy but rather force China into major financial issues. This is a significant factor which impacted heavily on the peasants, paying unfair taxes to the warlords that would rob them of any wealth. Concequently this demenstrates the way in which the nationalist goverenment manipulated its citerzens, by allowing warlords to rule these provinence whom implemented heavy taxes and took land from poor peasents, which lead to the failing support of the current "revolutionary" governement who were lacking poorly in implementing Sun Yet-Sen's third principle of people's livelihood.

Education was a significant factor in Chiang Kai Shek’s implementation of the principle of people’s livelihood as this was seen as key in achieving national unity. With compulsory schooling this established a common curriculum and standard for all students, with the rise in enrollment of approximately 10 million people between 1935-1937. These statistics show a slight improvement of livelihood and equality, however, It was evident of the inequality in the distribution of education over the provinces of China affecting the opportunities for schooling in the countryside, whereby 80 percent of the population lived. Therefore this aspect of education in regards to Chiang's implementing of the principle of people's livelihood can be demonstrated as a failure to win over the support of the peasantry due to this uneven distribution of eduication.

Support of the peasantry is the last and most significant factor when discussing the effectiveness and way in which Chang Kai Shek implemented the principle of livelihood during the period of 1928-1937. It was this factor that impacted the most as it became evident that Sun Yet Sen’s vision for the Nationalist government to take action against the injustice suffered by the peasants, “failed miserably” according to //Immanue HSU//. Little was done to redistribute land amongst the peasants, with the majority of peasants renting the land in which the warlords controlled, inflicting harsh taxes and interest rates which many illiterate presents did not understand, and did little to change. "Poverty and ignorance were two factors in which the peasants were engrossed in by 1937." The fact that peasents were //engrossed// in ignorace and poverty is significant in demenstrating how unsuccessful the nationalist government were in putting into practice equality for all and in which can clearly be demenstrated as a factor which forshadows the downfall of Chiang Kai Shek and the nationalist goverenment.
 * By Megan Santamaria**