The compromise under which the other Allies agreed to grant Japan Germany’s concessions in China infuriated the Chinese.
China became the only country represented at the Paris Peace Conference to refuse to sign the Treaty of Versailles. The perceived betrayal of the Western powers, along with the seeming failure of democracy at home turned many Chinese leaders against Western values.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
“Jasmine Flower”
Traditional. Public domain.
“Wa Ha Ha”
Traditional. Public domain.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
An interesting common way the arms embargo to China during the Warlord Era was skirted was via importation of Mauser C96 pistols, which were not considered “military weapons”. The ammunition used was relatively powerful, however, and shoulder stocks were plentiful, and so a quartermaster was able to acquire almost-rifles rather easily.
I’m sure this is the interview Mark remembers regarding the term “warlord”. They start talking about it at the 6:33 mark https://freshairarchive.org/segments/former-war-correspondent-aidan-hartley
I realize that I am nearly six years late, but congratulations on 200 episodes! I am very much enjoying slowly working my way through your “back catalog.” Whenever I start one of your episodes, I have trouble pausing it (to get back to my own work)–there are only a few other podcasts like that.
You are currently (March 23, 2026) on Episode #439. I just checked, and I listened to your Episode #1 15 months ago. So, it will be a long time until I catch up (I wonder if you will have completed your coverage of WWII by then 🙂 ). I have already decided that once I catch up to you, I will begin to re-listen to the podcast, starting at the beginning.
Thank you for all of your efforts, Mark! I truly appreciate it.