Wang Jingwei 汪精衛 collection, undated

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Summary

Creators:
Wang, Jingwei, 1883-1944
Abstract:
The Wang Jingwei 汪精衛 collection (1600s-1942) is comprised primarily of artwork such as paintings, scrolls, calligraphy, hand fans, and seals that were collected or created by Wang and other early KMT leaders such as Hu Hanmin and Tan Yankai. It also contains papers such as Wang's personal writings, confession documents on the assassination attempt of Manchu Prince Chun, family correspondence, and books. Wang's collection reflects the value he placed on traditional Chinese art and literature as well as revolutionary ideals, which serves to enrich his legacy as high-ranking KMT leader, close friend of Sun Yat-sen, opponent of Chiang Kai-shek, and collaborator with Japan during WWII.
Extent:
30 oversize boxes, 3 manuscript boxes, 2 card file boxes (35.11 Linear Feet)
Language:
In Chinese
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Wang Jingwei 汪精衛 collection, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists primarily of artwork such as paintings, scrolls, calligraphy, hand fans, and seals that were collected or created by Wang or other early KMT leaders, as well as papers such as personal writings, confession documents on the assassination attempt of Manchu Prince Chun, family correspondence, and books.

Biographical / historical:

Wang Jingwei 汪精衛 (Wang Ching-wei, 汪精卫, Wang Chao-ming, Wang Zhaoming 汪兆銘) (1883-1944) was a high-ranking Nationalist Chinese Party (Kuomintang KMT 國民黨) leader and notorious collaborator with Japan during WWII. Wang was born in Sanshui, Guangdong Province, to an educated family of Zhejiang origin. In 1903 he studied abroad in Japan, and there he joined the Revolutionary Alliance (Tongmenghui 同盟會) led by Sun Yat-sen. Returning to China in 1917, Wang became a trusted follower of Sun Yat-sen. In March 1925, Wang took office as chairman of the Nationalist Government. Over the course of the Northern Expedition to unify China, a conflict developed between Wang and Chiang Kai-shek, commander of the Nationalist Army. Between 1928 and 1931, Wang led the "opposition to Chiang" movement. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 brought Wang and Chiang together to form a temporary coalition government against the Japanese. In July 1937, the Japanese launched an all-out invasion of China. Wang favored a policy of appeasement and was not convinced of Chiang Kai-shek's support against Japan. Uncertain about China's fate, Wang defected with a group of peace advocates to Hanoi to propose a peaceful resolution to the military conflict with Japan. In March 1940, Wang established a nationalist government in Japan-occupied Nanjing and became the chairman of the new regime. Wang's collaborationist government controlled the lower Yangzi area from March 1940 to August 1945, when the Japanese surrendered. Wang died in Nagoya, Japan, in November 1944 due to injuries he sustained from an assassination attempt in 1939. His wife, Chen Bijun (陳璧君), sentenced after the war to life imprisonment, died in jail in Shanghai in 1959.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2022.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 6-19, 21-29, 32-35 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Wang Jingwei 汪精衛 collection, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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