Xinjiang is muslim.
Xinjiang is uyghur.
Xinjiang is China's odd one out.
Xinjiang is our story today.
Our story begins in 1881, the final occupation of Xinjiang by the Qing empire and the diplomatic agreement by Russia to give parts of what is today known as Xinjiang to China.
Prior to our story beginning Xinjiang was in a state of chaos, a thirst for independence rising in random counties throughout was today defined as Xinjiang.
The unruly region coming to a state of some control is at 1881, and recognised as one whole part, 1884.
The Qing justified their occupation of these new frontier lands by a call to past, in an attempt to use and resemble the empires of the Han and the Tang the Qing Empire tried to follow in this said empire's footsteps by occupying what is today known to be Xijiang.
Xinjiang, literally a “new frontier” and for a brief moment of time, the last frontier.
Until the fall of the Qing empire, Xinjiang existed in relatively simple and quiet times.
The Qing is dead : long live the republic.
1911
The Qing Empire has fallen and in turn Chaos ensues, and China had no clear ruler at that time.
1912
In return for his effort and help in defeating the Qing Empire, Yuan Shikai became China’s president. Xinjiang falls into the hands of Yang Zengxin, the ambitious subordinate of Xinjiangs previous ruler who fled after the Qing’s fall.
1916
Yuan Shikai is dead. The Warlords era begins. Warlords are often mentioned in devastated countries, with a government weak enough for local mercenaries and criminals to believe they can gain control over local areas with the use of vigilante force. Chinas warlords commanded over veterans of the Qing’s army, called the Yong Ying.
1928
The KMT, China’s ruling party until Yuan’s death in 1916 and its military arm started the second phase the northern expedition after the first phase was cut abruptly due to political struggles inside the KMT. By the end of the expedition, China with Xinjiang included were unified under the control of the KMT and existed as the republic of China until 1949.
Bringing Jin Shuren to Xinjiang’s throne.
1931
A number of Kumulik muslims start to revolt against Jin Shuren.
Following in their steps Hotan muslims started a separate rebellion to gain their own independence.
1933
The First East Turkestan republic is founded. East turkestan was a breakaway state carved out of Xinjiang, the first successful independence movement in Xinjiang under the republic of China’s rule.
1934
The First East Turkestan republic is crushed and turned back into Xinjiang, the Republic of China.
1937
Islamic rebellion in Xinjiang. A local group of Uygher rebels fighting against the “pro-Soviet provincial forces of the puppet Sheng Shicai.”. In 1942 Sheng changed allegiances from the Soviet Union to the Republic of China. Sheng’s Rule lasted until 1944.
1944
On november 7th “members of the East Turkistan National Liberation Organization led by Abdulkerim Abbasov and Alihan Tore attacked the KMT (Republic of China) police headquarters in Ghulja.”, proclaims the “East Turkestan Republic in exile” movement, and in november 12th, he East Turkistan National Liberation Organization declared a second independent East Turkestan. The East Turkestan republic consisted of parts of xinjiang, lasting until 1949. At the time, the rest of China’s went throught a violent civil war that may have prevented the republic of China from retaking the whole of Xinjiang,
1949
Communist forces enter Xinjiang and the surviving leadership of the East Turkestan Republic agrees to join in the People’s republic of China. The dust settles and modern china is formed, the KMT who controlled China until 1949 fled to taiwan, still recognised by the united states.
Xinjiang, a powerful rebellious entity with a thirst for independence is being put to rest under new management. With a taste of independence in their mouths, Xinjiang population will enter the era of communist china, a story I shall tell next time.
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