Wellington Koo, the Versailles Treaty and the May Fourth Movement

The Chinese Revolution

The Chinese had high hopes for the negotiations in Versailles after the end of the First World War. Wellington Koo argued the Chinese case ably. China wanted to retake control of its Shandong Province, but instead Japan continued to control it because of agreements signed during the war. Then it became clear that Duan Qirui and his Anhui Clique had benefited from Japanese funds in exchange for signing away Shandong to Japan.

The May Fourth Movement saw an eruption of student anger, supported by intellectuals, businesses and workers. There was even a general strike in Shanghai. The seeds of Chinese Communism were being planted two years before the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.

Behind the scenes, provincial warlords and officials supported the May Fourth Movement as a way of undermining Duan Qirui and his Anhui Clique. They could genuinely use patriotism to criticize Duan's betrayal of China to Japan.

These tensions among warlords would soon reach a boil.

Image: "File:Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo Chinees-Taiwanees politicus, diplomaat en rechter. Mede, Bestanddeelnr 900-8984.jpg" by Anefo is marked with CC0 1.0.

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