Military Dept
Appointed Head of the Military Dept
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1931 in China
Explore 40 historical events and records for China in 1931.
Historical records for China in 1931
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 40 unique records.
40Unique records
1 of 1Page
32Named events on this page
8Named people on this page
15Places on this page
January
May
Constitution of China
The Provisional Constitution for the Period of Political Tutelage is drafted and prepared as the legal framework of Nationalist rule.
Independence of Canton
A rival Nationalist faction in Guangzhou challenges Chiang’s Nanjing government.
Rebellion of Rebels in Canton
Disarms 2 regiments loyal to Chiang Kai-shek at the Whampoa Military Academy
Rebellion of Rebels in Canton
Disarms 2 regiments loyal to Chiang Kai-shek at the Whampoa Military Academy
Siege of Whampoa
Disarms 2 regiments loyal to Chiang Kai-shek at the Whampoa Military Academy
Rebellion of Rebels in Canton
Helps innaugurate a new Government calling itself the Nationalist Government of China
September
Invasion of China
Japan launches the Manchurian invasion after the Mukden Incident, confronting Chiang’s government with a major external crisis.
Mukden Incident
The Nationalist government appeals to the League of Nations after Japan occupies Manchuria.
Siege of Mukden
Japanese forces occupy Mukden after the September 18 incident and expand control across Manchuria.
Special Foreign Affairs Commission
Uses a special foreign affairs commission to coordinate the Nationalist response and international appeals after the Mukden Incident.
November
Capture of Tsitsihar
Japanese forces occupy Tsitsihar during the expansion of the Manchurian campaign.
Constitution of China
Russian influenced CP members proclaim a Chinese Republic to stop China joining Japan
Declaration of Republic
Russian influenced CP members proclaim a Chinese Republic to stop China joining Japan
December
Arrival at Ruijin
Arrives at the Communist central base in Ruijin and assumes senior party responsibilities.
Secretary
Appointed Party Secretary of the Communist Party
Student Anti-Japanese Delegations
Receives student representatives demanding stronger resistance to Japan after the loss of Manchuria.
Other events (month unknown)
Arrest of Tsai Hosen
Arrested in Hong Kong & executed
Arrest of Zhou En-Lai
Offers a large reward for information leading to the capture of Communist leader Zhou Enlai.
Capture of Guangxi
Xiaopings military base in Guangxi is captured, he joins Maos base in Ruijing
Central Soviet Area Leadership
Serves as secretary of the Communist Party organisation in the Central Soviet area.
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of Soviet Republic of China
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Soviet at Ruijing
Constitution of China
Helps found the Soviet Republic of China
Constitution of China
Helps found a soviet Government in accordance with Russian policy. Claims the Government is a national Government
Death of Tsai Hosen
Death of Tsai Hosen, arrested in Hong Kong & executed
Encirclement
Continues successive encirclement campaigns against the Communist Jiangxi base areas during 1931.
Execution
Arrested in Hong Kong & executed
Guerrilla Warfare
Announces a strategy to "pit 1 against 10"
Massacre
Kills 3,000 communists after criticism he should act in the interests of the peasants
National Government
Claims the Government is a national Government
Peace
The "Internationalists" forbid any comprimise with Kai-Shek. Seeks an armistice after the Japanese invasion
Purge
Kills 3,000 communists after criticism he should in the interests of the peasants
Rule of Manchukuo
Japan occupies Manchuria after the Mukden Incident; Manchukuo is proclaimed the following year.
Rule of Manchukuo
Appointed Chief Executive & ruler on behalf of the Japanese of Manchukuo
Secretary of Politburo
Appointed Politbureau Secretary
Siege of Changsha
Leads the Communists out of Changsha towards the end of the year
Siege of Ruijing
The second and third Nationalist encirclement campaigns fail to destroy the Communist base in Jiangxi.
Siege of Ruijing
Defeats 3rd attempt by Chiang Kai-Shek to overrun the Communist military base. Defeats a 2nd attempt by Chiang Kai-Shek to overrun the Communist military base
Soviet Government
Helps found a soviet Government in accordance with Russian policy
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.