Register of the Zhongguo Guo Min Dang records
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2009, 2016
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Zhongguo guo min dang records
Date (inclusive): 1894-1987
Collection Number: 2006C29
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
Chinese
Physical Description:
1988 microfilm reels
(262.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Relates to political conditions in and government of China and Taiwan.
Creator:
Zhongguo guo min dang
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
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.
Use
May not be copied.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
The microfilm was acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives from 2003 to 2010.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Zhongguo guo min dang records, [Reel number], Hoover Institution Library & Archives. Originals in
Kuomintang archives (Taipei, Taiwan), series [number, title], file [number].
Alternative Forms of Material Available
Records of the Central Reform Committee (series numbers 6.41, 6.42, and 6.43) are digitized and may also be viewed on a workstation
in the Archives reading room.
Location of Originals
Originals at Kuomintang archives, Taipei, Taiwan.
Historical Note
Sun Yat-sen and other overseas Chinese concerned about the situation in China founded the Hsing Chung Hui in Hawaii on 24
November 1894. This organization was superseded by the Tung Meng Hui, formed by Sun and other Chinese in Tokyo on 20 August
1905. The headquarters of the Tung Meng Hui moved to Nanjing after the Republic of China was established in January 1912.
Later that year it merged with other groups to form the Kuomintang (Zhongguo guo min dang or Nationalist Party of the Republic
of China), with Sun as chairman.
The organization of the Kuomintang (KMT) expanded rapidly. At the First National Party Congress in January 1924 a party constitution
was adopted. The congress elected a Central Executive Committee (CEC) to handle party affairs when the congress was not in
session, and established a Central Control Committee to oversee party affairs. The CEC was headed by the director of the party,
who had final decision-making power over the resolutions passed by the CEC. Sun Yat-sen, who died on 12 March 1925, was the
first director. He set up a Political Committee in 1924 to handle party-government relations. At first the Political Committee
met by itself, but in 1927 it began meeting with the CEC. The CEC elected a Standing Committee to handle party affairs when
the full CEC was not in session. Various departments were established under the CEC, with departmental reorganizations occurring
occasionally. This structure remained largely unchanged until 1950.
In 1938, after the war with Japan began, a National Supreme Defense Commission was founded with KMT director general Chiang
Kai-shek as its head. All CEC departments, the entire national government, and all military affairs fell under the jurisdiction
of this new unit.
The Kuomintang (KMT) was defeated in 1949 by Chinese Communist Party forces and forced to relocate in Taiwan. Following the
removal, the KMT entered a period of reorientation and reformation. A Central Reform Committee (CRC) was established in August
1949 to determine the most effective way to revitalize the party. It drafted a new party platform and studied organizational
changes, among other activities.
The recommendations of the CRC were subsequently adopted by the Seventh National Party Congress (October 10-20, 1952), and
the former Central Executive Committee and the Central Control Committee were replaced by a single Central Committee (CC).
The CC elected a Central Standing Committee (CSC), chaired by the director general, with a secretary general to oversee the
work of the party departments and committees. Initially the CSC had six sections concerning party affairs in Taiwan, party
affairs in mainland China, party affairs overseas, propaganda, handling social organizations, and social and economic research
and planning strategies against the enemy. The CSC also had four committees for evaluation, discipline, finance, and party
history. A Secretariat for the CSC handled documents, accounting, personnel, and party member welfare.
Another part of the KMT's self-reformation movement in the early 1950s involved intensification of training and indoctrination
of cadres working with various mass organizations, like the Chinese Federal of Labor, Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League,
and National Association of Youth Organizations, formed. A system of "basic party cadres" was established to revitalize the
party and ensure thorough implementation of party policies and programs at the local level. The cadres worked closely with
youth, farmers, laborers, and other groups.
For the two decades after the 1952 reform, the KMT presided over an increasingly repressive political system, followed in
the 1970s by cycles of loosening and tightening of controls. Facilitated by party members in critical government positions
at all levels, the KMT was able to activate its policies through the legislative and executive yuan (branches) of the government.
The basic structure of the party remained fairly constant during this period. Its organization formed a pyramid paralleling
the organization of the government. Local units of up to 15 members formed the base, with the subdistrict, district, county,
and provincial organizations above it. At the top was the central unit, the Central Committee. Each level of organization
maintained a central committee and an advisory committee. The committees at the base were elected directly by party members,
and the congresses (known as assemblies at district and lower levels) at each higher level elected the central and advisory
committees for their respective levels.
Going down the pyramid, the Provincial Congress met every two years. It decided on the methods for implementing the KMT's
programs and elected the Central Committee. The County Congress met annually to elect its committee members and to formulate
policy at its level of authority. The district and subdistrict assemblies were comprised of all party members in the area
concerned. The basic unit of 3 to 15 members was responsible for carrying the party's message to the people and recruiting
members. Members with no fixed residence, such as railroad workers, seamen, other vocational groups, and Overseas Chinese,
had special organizations under the direct control of the central party headquarters.
At the national level, the National Congress, scheduled to meet every few years, continued to be the highest unit of the party.
Its chief duties were to amend the party constitution, determine the party platform and policies, review the work of the Central
Committee, train and guide party cadres, elect the president, and elect members of the Central Committee.
The Central Committee met annually. Its functions were to execute resolutions of the National Congress and represent the party
in its external relations, discuss and administer party and political affairs, organize and direct party branches at various
levels, train and guide party cadres, enforce party discipline, and raise funds and administer the party budget.
Because of the large membership of the Central Committee (CC), the real power was vested in its Central Standing Committee
(CSC), whose members were elected by the CC. The CSC functioned during the recess of the plenary session of the CC. It could
issue orders, make appointments, and call an extraordinary plenary session of the CC when necessary. The CSC initially held
unlimited authority because the director general of the party was its chairman, and the ultimate source of power in the party
resided with the director general. The director general was elected by the National Congress and possessed absolute veto authority
over the decisions of the CC. Chiang Kai-shek was director general from 1938 until his death on 5 April 1975. After his death
the position was retired, and Chiang Ching-kuo became party chairman.
A Central Advisory Committee was added in 1969, and the number of seats in the CSC was gradually increased to 21 members.
Scope and Content of Collection
Some of the microfilmed collections of the KMT listed below are described in PDF indexes (traditional Chinese language only)
within the container list. Please contact the Archives for more information. When visiting the Archives reading room to view
the microfilm, please be ready to provide (1) the particular collection identifier, for example 5.1, Hankou, or TE 2, and
(2) the microfilm reel numbers.
Since 2003 the Hoover Institution has been working with the KMT to preserve the historical records held in the party's archives
in Taipei. The official party records are microfilmed in Taipei, with a use copy of the microfilm deposited at the Hoover
Institution.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into groups of records created by subunits of the KMT, such as the Central Reform Committee and
Seventh Central Standing Committee, or papers of prominent officials, such as the archive of Wu Zhihui.
Related Archival Materials note
Chiang Kai-shek diaries, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Taiwan -- Politics and government -- 1945-1975
China -- Politics and government -- 1912-1949
Records of the National Defense Supreme Commission
Historical Note
In 1938, after the war with Japan began, a National Supreme Defense Commission was founded with KMT director general Chiang
Kai-shek as its head. All Central Executive Committee departments, the entire national government, and all military affairs
fell under the jurisdiction of this new unit.
reels 001 1-33
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (001)
1939-1947
reels 002 1-8
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (002)
1939-1947
reels 003 1-156, 156A, 157-325
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (003)
1939-1947
reels 004 1-9
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (004)
1939-1947
reels 005 1-4
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (005)
1939-1947
reels 009 1-2
National Defense Supreme Commission Archive (009)
1939-1947
reels 5.1 1-18
Records of the Fifth National Party Congress (5.1)
1935
Historical Note
Held November 12-23, 1935, in Nanjing, the Fifth National Congress adopted such resolutions as "Enforcement of Local Self-government
to Complete the Political Tutelage" and "Consolidation of the National Defense during the National Emergency." It issued a
manifesto dealing with psychological, social and political aspects of national reconstruction.
reels 5.2 1-73
Records of the Fifth Central Executive Committee (5.2)
1935-1944
Historical Note
Three plenary sessions of the Fifth Central Executive Committee were held in Nanjing, on 2 December 1935, 10 July 1936, and
14 May 14 1937. The committee was officially terminated in May 1945.
reels 5.3 1-12
Records of the Fifth Central Standing Committee (5.3)
1935-1945
Historical Note
The committee began functioning in December 1935 and was officially terminated in May 1945.
reels 5.4 1-5
Records of the Fifth Central Affairs Working Committee (5.4)
1938-1940
reels 6.1 1-17
Records of the Sixth National Party Congress (6.1)
1945
Historical Note
Held May 5-21, 1945, in Chongqing, the Sixth National Congress made public a new platform on May 18 and a new manifesto on
May 21. The new platform called for preparations for the promulgation of constitutional government.
reels 6.2 1-27
Records of the Sixth Central Executive Committee (6.2)
1945-1947
Historical Note
Four plenary sessions of the Sixth Central Executive Committee were held on 28 May 1945, 1 March 1946, 15 March 1947, 9 September
1947. The first two were held in Chongqing, and the second two in Nanjing. An extraordinary plenary session of the Central
Executive Committee was held on 4 April 1948 in Nanjing. The committee was terminated in August 1950.
reels 6.3 1-10
Records of the Sixth Central Standing Committee (6.3)
1945-1950
Historical Note
The committee functioned from May 1945 to August 1950.
Records of the Central Reform Committee (CRC)
Historical Note
The KMT formally established the CRC on August 5, 1950, to explore ways to revitalize the party. The CRC, with 16 members,
replaced the former Central Executive Committee and the Central Supervisory Committee, which had 50 and 223 members, respectively
and became the party's main executive and policy planner body. It had four subcommittees in the areas of cadre training, discipline,
finance, and party history. Seven functional sections handled party affairs in Taiwan and mainland China; industrial, professional,
youth, and other special party branches; overseas party affairs; propaganda; political activities for KMT members of the government
and liaison with friendly parties; collection of information on society and economy and planning of strategies to deal with
the enemy; and party-run enterprises and the economic well-being of party members.
During its two years of existence regular party organs were suspended and their activities were transferred to the CRC. Among
other activities, the CRC and its successor drafted a new party platform, studied organizational changes, issued a directive
on recruiting new members, and published procedures for cadres working with various mass organizations. It also published
Gaizao [
Reform], the official organ of the KMT from 1950 to 1952. The committee's recommendations were adopted by the Seventh National Party
Congress in October 1952.
reels 6.41 1-13
Central Reform Committee Archive (6.41)
1949-1954
General note
Digital use copies available in reading room
reels 6.42 1-12
Minutes of the Central Reform Committee Meetings (6.42)
1950-1952
General note
Digital use copies available in reading room
reels 6.43 1-6
Briefings of the Various Projects of the Central Reform Committee (6.43)
1950-1952
General note
Digital use copies available in reading room
reels 7.1 1-3
Records of the Seventh National Party Congress (7.1)
1952
Historical Note
Held October 10-20, 1952, in Taipei, this was the KMT's first national congress in Taiwan. It adopted the Central Reform Committee's
recommendations and created the Central Committee, electing 32 members to it. This committee replaced the Central Executive
Committee and the Central Control Committee. The Seventh National Party Congress set the course of the party by revising the
General Regulations of the party, forming the basic doctrine to be pursued during the period of the anti-Communist campaign
against the mainland, and drafting a detailed party platform to serve as a guide for the working program of party members.
It issued a manifesto and platform on October 20, which were the first major statements of party policy on Taiwan. A land
reform program was one of its most significant programs.
reels 7.2 1-3
Records of the Seventh Central Committee (7.2)
1953-1954
Historical Note
Eight plenary sessions of the Seventh Central Committee were held in Taipei on 23 October 1952, 5 May 1953, 12 November 1953,
2 August 1954, 1 March 1955, 3 October 1955, 5 May 1956, and 4 March 1957. An extraordinary plenary session was held on 15
February 1954. The committee operated until October 1957.
reels 7.3 1-13
Records of the Seventh Central Standing Committee (7.3.)
1952-1957
Historical Note
The committee functioned from October 1952 to October 1957.
reels 7.4 1-17
Records of the Seventh National Working Committee (7.4)
1952-1957
reels Hankou 1-28, 28A, 29-167
Hankou Archive (Hankou)
1924-1927
reels Huan 1-95
Shanghai Huanlong Road Archive (Huan)
1914-1925
reels New Life 1-6
New Life Movement Archive (New Life)
1935-1945
Historical Note
In 1934, Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, Soong Meiling, heralded the New Life Movement that would revitalize the Chinese national
spirit. Influenced by one of Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People (i.e., the principle of welfare,
minsheng zhuyi), the movement was based on traditional Confucian social ethics and promulgated ideals such as self-cultivation and correct
living and discouraged the "Western" concept of individualism. Gambling, opium smoking, dancing, public displays of affection,
and other activities viewed as root causes of poverty and moral degeneration were strictly forbidden.
Scope and Contents note
The records are chiefly made up of publications from provincial Women's Working Committees, promotional associations, and
other organizations directed by Madame Chiang and sponsored by the New Life Movement. The publications cover a wide range
of topics, including cooking, personal hygiene, and behavior.
reel Special 1
Minutes of the Special Committee (Special)
1949-1950
Historical Note
In April 1949 the situation in the war against the Communists turned critical, and the KMT established this emergency committee.
Special Archives of the KMT Party Affairs (TE)
1899-1953
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains confidential records created during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The material is arranged in broad
subject areas. Examples of the many subjects are Central Training Squadron, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Youth Party, central and provincial party affairs, overseas party affairs, and wartime foreign
relations with Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Burma, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Okinawa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and
Macau.
reel 1
TE 20
1905, 1929, 1938-1944
reels 1-6
TE 29
1905, 1928-1929 1937-1946
reels 1-15
TE 30
1899, 1905, 1927-1948
reels 1-9
TE 31
1905, 1930, 1937-1945
reels 1-2
TE 32
1927-1931, 1941-1951
reels 1-2
TE 33
1905, 1930, 1939-1944
reels Wubu 1-143
Five Departments Archives (Wubu)
1924-1927
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains material concerning the five government units in operation before the Central Executive Committee
was formed. The five departments were dedicated to labor unions, peasants, youth groups, women's groups, and business groups.
Central Political Council Archives (Zheng)
1898-1950
Scope and Contents note
This collection includes Central Executive Committee records, council meeting minutes, work reports, and other materials relating
to Chinese national and foreign affairs. The records cover three periods: the first involves the council's establishment in
Canton with Sun Yat-sen as its first chairman (1924-26), the second involves the Northern Expedition, during which Nanjing
was made the capital of the Republic of China (1926-28), and the third covers the period from the July 7 Marco Polo Bridge
Incident (1937), which marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, to the end of the Chinese Civil War (1949). Other
topics addressed by the documents are national security and military affairs, such as the Sino-German joint aircraft manufacturing
contract and the Sino-American aviation and airmail contract.
reels 1-8
Zheng 1
1898, 1905, 1919, 1927-1947
reels Zhi 1-48, 48A, 49-70, 70A, 71-77, 77A, 78-125, 125A, 126, 126A, 127-138, 138A, 139-155
Wu Zhihui Archive (Zhi)
1894-1952
Historical Note
Wu Zhihui (1865-1953) has been described as a satirist, anarchist, philologist, and educator who went on to help found the
Chinese Nationalist Party and the Republic of China. Wu was traditionally educated in the Chinese classics. After unsuccessful
attempts to reach the top of the Qing dynasty's civil service examination system, Wu became influenced by radical thought
and studied overseas in Japan, England, and France. His acquaintance with Sun Yat-sen in London eventually led him to the
revolutionary movement. Wu is also known for promoting the standardization and phoneticization of the Chinese language by
developing the "Symbols for Annotated Sounds" (
zhuyin fu hao) system, a phonetic system similar to Japanese
kana that uses symbols to transcribe Mandarin Chinese. Widely used in Taiwan, it can be used to enter Chinese characters on cell
phones and computers. Having held such official positions as minister of education, Wu was viewed as an elder statesman and
close confidant of Chiang Kai-shek by many members of the Nationalist Kuomintang in his later years.
Scope and Contents note
The papers contain correspondence, speeches and writings, memoranda, reports, photographs, and other materials relating to
political, social, and economic conditions in China and Taiwan in the early twentieth century.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek Archive (Zong Cai)
1912-1987
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, memoranda, telegrams, speeches, publications, photographs, and other records of Chiang Kai-shek. In addition
to Hoover's online database, a published index is available at Stanford's East Asia Library.
reels 1-2, 2A, 2B, 3-11, 11A, 12-13
reels 1, 1A, 2-5, 5A, 6-11
