# Zhang Xueliang

> militant (1901–2001)

**Wikidata**: [Q20148](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20148)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Xueliang)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zhang-xueliang

## Summary
Zhang Xueliang was a Chinese military leader and statesman born on June 3, 1901, in Fengtian, Qing Empire (modern Liaoning, China). He played a pivotal role in 20th-century Chinese history, notably orchestrating the 1936 Xi'an Incident, which forced Chiang Kai-shek to confront Japanese aggression. A key figure in the National Revolutionary Army, he held significant power in Northeast China as the "Young Marshal."

## Biography
- **Born**: June 3, 1901, in Fengtian, Qing Empire (now Liaoning, China)  
- **Nationality**: Republic of China (1912–1949)  
- **Education**: Graduated from Jilin University (then Fengtian Military Academy)  
- **Known for**: Masterminding the Xi'an Incident (1936) to unite China against Japan  
- **Employer(s)**: National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China government  
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, politics  

## Contributions
- **Northern Expedition (1926–1928)**: Supported the Kuomintang's campaign to unify China, contributing to the collapse of warlord regimes.  
- **Xi'an Incident (1936)**: Detained Chiang Kai-shek to pressure the Nationalist government into resisting Japanese invasion, altering China's stance in the Second Sino-Japanese War.  
- **Northeast China Governance**: As leader of the Fengtian clique, modernized infrastructure and military systems in Manchuria during the 1920s–1930s.  

## FAQs
**Q: What was Zhang Xueliang's role in the Xi'an Incident?**  
A: He orchestrated the 1936 coup to detain Chiang Kai-shek, forcing Nationalist leaders to prioritize resistance against Japanese occupation.  

**Q: Why was Zhang Xueliang called the "Young Marshal"?**  
A: He inherited the title at age 27 after his father, Zhang Zuolin, was assassinated in 1928, becoming one of China's youngest military commanders.  

**Q: What happened to Zhang Xueliang after the Xi'an Incident?**  
A: Chiang Kai-shek placed him under house arrest, which lasted from 1937 until his death in 2001, despite his pivotal role in shaping wartime strategy.  

**Q: How did Zhang Xueliang influence China's resistance against Japan?**  
A: By compelling Chiang Kai-shek to end the policy of "internal pacification before external resistance," he unified factions against Japanese aggression.  

## Why They Matter
Zhang Xueliang's actions directly impacted China's trajectory during World War II. The Xi'an Incident forced the Nationalist government to abandon appeasement toward Japan, accelerating the Second Sino-Japanese War's escalation into a full-scale conflict. His leadership in Northeast China also modernized the region, leaving a legacy in military and political strategy. Without his intervention, China's resistance efforts might have remained fragmented, altering the course of Asian history.

## Notable For
- **"Young Marshal" of Manchuria**: Inherited command of Northeast China at 27.  
- **Xi'an Incident Architect**: Shifted China's policy toward Japan through direct action.  
- **House Arrest for 64 Years**: Longest political detention in modern Chinese history.  
- **Jilin University Alumni**: Trained at a key institution for military and political leaders.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Zhang Xueliang was born on June 3, 1901, in Fengtian (now Shenyang), the son of warlord Zhang Zuolin. He studied at Jilin University's precursor, the Fengtian Military Academy, graduating in 1919. His early career was shaped by his father's dominance in Manchuria, a region critical to China's industrial and military power.

### Military Career and Rise to Power
By 1921, Zhang Xueliang commanded the Anshan Military Academy, rapidly ascending through ranks. After his father's 1928 assassination by Japanese agents, he inherited control of Northeast China at age 27, earning the "Young Marshal" moniker. He modernized the region's military, adopting Western tactics and equipment, and supported the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition (1926–1928) to unify China.

### Political Influence and the Xi'an Incident
In 1936, Zhang Xueliang collaborated with Communist forces to detain Chiang Kai-shek in Xi'an. This daring move aimed to end the Nationalists' internal purges and redirect efforts toward resisting Japanese invasion. The crisis lasted 13 days, drawing global attention and forcing Chiang to negotiate. Though successful in shifting policy, Zhang was placed under house arrest by Chiang, a confinement that lasted until his death in 2001.

### Legacy and Later Life
Despite his pivotal role, Zhang Xueliang spent the remainder of his life marginalized politically. His house arrest spanned Taiwan and the United States, where he died on October 15, 2001. Historians recognize his dual legacy: a unifier against Japanese aggression and a symbol of the complexities of China's civil war era. His actions underscored the interplay between regional warlords and national politics, shaping modern China's geopolitical landscape.

## References

1. Who's Who in China, 3rd edition
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. CiNii Research
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/09/22/2003600307)
7. [Source](https://yingtingshih.pixnet.net/blog/post/205391121-第0783篇%5B新竹五峰%5D張學良文化園區／清泉風景)
8. [Source](https://okgo.tw/butyview.html?id=3152)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. IdRef
11. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
12. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
13. Dizionario di Storia
14. Oxford Reference