Third Plenum of the KMT Central Executive Committee

The Kuomintang, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party, was a major political party in China. It played a central role in Chinese politics during the early 20th century, particularly in the period leading up to and after the Chinese Revolution of 1911, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China.

The Third Plenum of the KMT Central Executive Committee took place in 1927. It was held in Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China at the time. The meeting was a significant political gathering that aimed to discuss and address key issues facing the party and the country.

The Third Plenum focused on several critical issues and decisions:

One of the major topics discussed at the meeting was the continuation and intensification of the Northern Expedition. The Northern Expedition was a military campaign launched by the KMT to unify China and overthrow the regional warlords who held significant power in different parts of the country. Participants of the Plenum discussed strategies and plans to advance the expedition and extend KMT influence.

The Third Plenum also addressed the question of collaboration between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At the time, the KMT and CCP formed a united front to combat warlords and foreign powers. The plenum emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two parties in pursuit of common goals.

The plenum discussed organizational matters within the KMT, including internal party structure, membership, and strategies for expanding party influence. It aimed to strengthen the party’s organizational capacity and address challenges facing the KMT in its mission to establish a unified and stable China.

Significance

The Third Plenum of the KMT Central Executive Committee was a crucial gathering that helped shape the direction of the KMT and its policies during a critical period in Chinese history. The decisions made at the meeting, particularly regarding the Northern Expedition and collaboration with the CCP, had a significant impact on the course of the Chinese Revolution and subsequent events.

The Northern Expedition, in particular, led to the KMT’s military successes, further weakening the warlords and establishing KMT control over large parts of China. It set the stage for the KMT’s eventual establishment of the Nanjing government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, and its ongoing struggle against the Communist forces during the Chinese Civil War.