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Dissertation Information for Michael David Wilson

NAME:
- Michael David Wilson

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1996)

ADVISORS:
- Robert Dallek

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: United States policy and the Nationalist Revolution in China, 1925-1928

Abstract: This thesis examines American policy concerning China during the Nationalist Revolution, 1925-1928, and seeks to explain the American decision in 1928 to recognize the Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai-shek. Recognition was effected through a new Sino-American tariff treaty, which also marked the beginning of the end of the so-called "unequal treaties" between China and the world powers, and therefore the United States is often portrayed as the champion of China's sovereignty.

The study is based on State Department archives and the personal papers of the key officials, Secretary of State Frank Kellogg and Nelson Johnson, who became Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, and who was the chief architect of American policy. An assumption of the study is that the ideas of statesmen can be a primary influence on policy just as in other cases economic or some other interest might be found to be most influential. A chief purpose therefore was to identify the ideas upon which American policy toward China was based.

The study concludes that Americans sought a leadership role in China and in so doing were acting upon the assumption that American influence was crucial for China's well being and, more broadly, for the peace and prosperity of the world. American officials were sympathetic to Chinese nationalism and hoped for the emergence of a strong central government, but kept their distance from the revolution as long as it was dominated by radical Chinese and their Russian advisors. During this period, Kellogg consistently emphasized that nothing could be done to help China until a national government had reunited the country. In 1927, Chiang purged Communists from the revolution and supplanted its anti-foreign orientation with a friendly attitude toward the world powers, one that suggested future cooperation in the comity of nations. Americans were more comfortable with the new orientation because it was both easier for them to identify with and easier to work with. Washington now became willing to use American influence to help Chiang's party emerge as the national government of China.

MPACT Scores for Michael David Wilson

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2009-01-19 20:43:45

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Students under Michael David Wilson

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None