Description
Wang Zuanxu was a career militarist who became an influential warlord in Sichuan during the early Republican Chinese era,
commanding the greater Chengdu and Chonqing area in the 1920s and the 1930s. The Wang Zuanxu papers (1930-2000) consists of
digital images, created in 2020, of transcripts of historical records of Mr. Wang Zuanxu and his family; photo images of Wang's
activities during World War II and activities of other Wang family members.
Background
Wang Zuanxu was born in 1886 in Xichong, Sichuan Province. He went to Sichuan military school in 1906 and became a career
militarist. He became an influential warlord in Sichuan during the early Republican Chinese era, commanding the greater Chengdu
and Chonqing area in the 1920s and the 1930s. During the Sino-Japanese war (1937-45), Wang was entrusted by Chiang Kai-shek
as the governor of Sichuan Province. He held that position between April 1938 and September 1939. He subsequently commanded
Nationalist Chinese forces to fight against the Japanese in southwest China. After the Japanese surrendered in August 1945,
Wang continued to serve important military and political positions within the Nationalist government. During the civil war
period between the Chinese Nationalists and the Chinese Communists, Wang was Chiang Kai-shek's staunch supporter and was appointed
by Chiang to command the anticommunist forces in Chongqing. In 1949 Wang defected to the Chinese Communist Party. Wang was
purged during the anti-Rightist movement in the 1950s. In November 1957, Wang attempted to escape to Hong Kong but was captured
on the Guangdong-Hong Kong border. He died in November 1960.
Extent
2 manuscript boxes
(.5 Linear Feet)
Restrictions
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Availability
Digital files closed. Access printouts available for use.