The Northern Expedition

What was the Northern Expedition?

The Northern Expedition was an attack on the warlords and the areas they controlled.

What was the Northern Expedition's aim?

The expedition force was to surround and starve each warlord army in order to defeat it, while gaining support from the peasants by offering food.

Who led the Northern Expedition?

The Northern Expedition was led by the leader of the GMD, Chiang Kai-shek. It used the GMD's highly effective National Revolutionary Army (NRA).

When was the Northern Expedition?

The Northern Expedition ran from 9th July, 1926, until 29th December, 1928.

Why was the Northern Expedition launched?

The expedition was sparked following an incident in May 1925. A British commander shot and killed 12 Chinese people in Shanghai. This inspired the United Front to take immediate action against the warlords who allowed such foreign influence.

What was the Northern Expedition's outcome?

The United Front was victorious in this strategy. By April 1928, all warlords had been defeated, with the GMD declaring a national government. However, tensions had emerged between the GMD and the CCP, which led to CCP withdrawing from the United Front in April 1927.

What were the reasons for the success of the Northern Expedition?

There were 3 reasons for the success of the United Front:

• ❖ The forces of the United Front heavily outnumbered the individual warlord armies.
• ❖ The communists helped gain the support of local peasants.
• ❖ Negotiations with some warlords meant the GMD was able to take control of the provinces peacefully, in return for warlords being able to keep their own private armies.