Zhang Zuolin

Zhang Zuolin
張作霖
Zhang c. 1920
Generalissimo of the Military
Government of China
In office
18 June 1927 – 4 June 1928
PremierPan Fu
Preceded byWellington Koo
(as acting president)
Succeeded byTan Yankai
(as chairman of the national government)
Warlord of Manchuria
In office
1922 – June 4, 1928
Succeeded byZhang Xueliang
Personal details
Born(1875-03-19)March 19, 1875
Haicheng, Fengtian, Qing Empire
DiedJune 4, 1928(1928-06-04) (aged 53)
Shenyang, Fengtian, Republic of China
Manner of deathAssassination
NationalityChinese
Political partyFengtian clique
Spouses
  • Zhao Chungui
  • Lu Shouxuan
Children14, including:
AwardsOrder of Rank and Merit
Order of the Golden Grain
Order of Wen-Hu
Nickname(s)Old Marshal
Rain Marshal
Mukden Tiger
King of the Northeast
Military service
Allegiance
Years of service1900–1928
RankGrand Marshal of the Republic of China, generalissimo
Battles/wars

Zhang Zuolin[a] (March 19, 1875 – June 4, 1928) was a Chinese warlord who ruled Manchuria from 1916 to 1928. He led the Fengtian clique, one of the most important factions during China's Warlord Era. During the last year of his life, he briefly installed himself as Generalissimo of the Republic of China.

Born to a poor peasant's family in Manchuria, Zhang became a prominent bandit in the region in the 1890s. After the Boxer Rebellion, his troops became a regiment of the Qing dynasty's army, and during the Russo-Japanese War, they were hired by the Japanese Army as mercenaries. During the 1911 Revolution, Zhang initially fought against the revolutionaries, and after the foundation of the Republic of China supported the Beiyang government. Zhang founded the Fengtian clique and gradually expanded his Northeastern Army, which established his supremacy over the three northeastern provinces (Fengtian, Jilin and Heilongjiang). Zhang's government in Manchuria initiated important reforms and investments in agriculture and industry, resulting in good development. He was supported by the Japanese, who viewed him as best representing their economic interests. Seeking to extend his power to northern China, Zhang fought wars against the Anhui and Zhili cliques, after which he became the most powerful figure in the Beiyang government and proclaimed himself Generalissimo in 1927. Zhang's troops were defeated by the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition in 1928. During his retreat, he was assassinated by officers of the Japanese Kwantung Army. He was succeeded in Manchuria by his son, Zhang Xueliang, who recognized the Nationalist government.
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