Peter H. L. Chang (Zhang Xueliang)
Oral History Materials
The Oral History Research Office is delighted to announce the opening of a lengthy and comprehensive interview with one of the most important figures in twentieth century Chinese history, Peter H.L. Chang, also known as Marshal Chang. The interview, totaling over 4,800 pages, was conducted in Taiwan beginning in 1991 and was concluded in 1993. The oral history also includes portions of transcribed testimony from Edith Chao Chang, Peter Chang's wife. The oral history is transcribed in Chinese characters, and will include an index in Chinese and English to be made public on July 1, 2002. A second, shorter, interview with Mr. Chang conducted by Columbia University in 1990 has also been opened. An index of that interview will also be available on July 1, 2002. The extensive interview was donated to Columbia in 1995 and, according to donor agreement, was released on what would have been Mr. Chang's 100th birthday.
Mr. Chang, an important figure in the creation of the modern Chinese state, is best known for his role in the 1936 Xian Incident, in which Chiang Kai-shek was asked to establish a united front between Nationalist and Chinese forces to oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Following the incident, Mr. Chang was placed under house arrest for more than fifty years.
Interested scholars may contact the Rare Book and Manuscript Manuscript Library at Columbia University, and make an appointment to read the interview. (Appointments may be made by calling 212-854-5590.) The Rare Book and Manuscript Library is the central repository for Mr. and Mrs. Chang's extensive papers and correspondence, amounting to more than 20 linear feet of material.
Preliminary Synopsis of
Peter H. L. Chang (Zhang Xueliang) Oral Materials
The oral interviews conducted with General Zhang Xueliang from 1991-1993 as currently transcribed in Chinese come to 4,837 handwritten one-sided pages. The contents are not in chronological order, however, and in many cases are somewhat repetitious and mix different themes together in the same interviews, which consist of sixty different sessions in all. The main themes or topics contained throughout the materials will be listed below.
There is extensive material on the crucial events know to history as the Xian Incident of December, 1936 scattered throughout the interviews. Only a few sessions focus primarily on this affair and even when they do so they are mixed in with other topics.
A second major theme consists of General Zhang's relations with his family,especially with his father before the latter's assassination in 1928 and the history of Manchuria in the early part of this century. The interviews also cover his relationships with other generals from the area and the intentions of Japan, the major Western Powers and the Soviet Union (and/or Russia before 1917), in that area of the country from 1900-1936. The greatest emphasis is on the twenties and thirties, especially surrounding and following the famous Manchurian Incident of September 18, 1931.
A third theme consists of Zhang's relations with other Chinese warlords in the period leading up to the Xian Incident and of course his relations with the Chinese Communist Party, Chiang kai-shek and the Nationalist Party before and after the Xian Incident.
A fourth major theme consists of discussions of Zhang's personal political, philosophical and religious beliefs and his education and how these were affected by his trip to Europe as a young man. It also covers his later years under house arrest and how they influenced his written work.
A fifth major theme consists of speculation by General Zhang concerning recent developments in Chinese history.
A sixth major theme consists of question regarding his life after Xian under house arrest. There is extensive discussion of people surrounding Chiang kai-shek such as his widow, other high-ranking Chinese Nationalist officials who are still alive and especially of the Generalissimo's son and successor as president on Taiwan, Chiang Ching-guo.
Finally, there are comments about his family and his personal habits as well as discussion of the nature of modern Chinese studies in the United States in general and Columbia University in particular, with some reference to other American institutions of higher learning.
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