Jiang’s leadership of the GMD:
leader since 1925
consolidated power by strengthening power base - used police and army to remove opposition
Created a pro corps at Whampoa Military Academy who were trained in modern military strategy and were loyal to him. Married Soong Mei-Ling in 1927 - daughter of a rich businessman - gained connections, politically and business wise to Shanghai elites and US. Made her brother finance minister. No elections between 1925-36.
Imposed strict censorship, controlled education, protestors shot dead. Local administrators were corrupt, poor were taxed heavily, ,little tax went to gov., wealthy businesses forced to pay loans to gov.