The Soong Sisters of China
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This research paper is a summary biography of the Soong sisters and an assessment of their influence and importance in the history of modern China. The Soong sisters, Ai-ling (1890 1974), Ching-ling (1892-1981) and May-ling (1897-), individually and together with their blood relatives and in-laws, played in different ways influential and controversial roles in the affairs of twentieth century China. Their influence was built upon the rising wealth and power of their family headed by their father, Charlie Soong (1866-1918), before and during the rise to power of the Nationalists led by Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek. The sisters were carefully groomed to assume those roles. The influence of Ching-ling (Mme. Sun) peaked shortly after the death of Sun yat-sen in 1925, but she remained until her death a symbol of the Chinese revolution which had miscarried. Ai-ling and May ling (as Mmes. Kung and Chiang Kai-shek, respectively), wielded significant power during the Nationalist period. They lived the remainder of their long lives in relative obscurity, except for brief periods when they were used to sustain the emigre regime in Taiwan. Their machinations and questionable methods of acquiring and maintain their influence, as well as their triumphs and their failures, can only be understood in the context of the turbulent course of 20th century Chinese history. By force of their distinctive personalities, they each left an indelible mark on the history of
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ai-shek, whom she publicly denounced as a reactionary dictator who had betrayed Dr. Sun's revolution, not the Chinese Communist Party which she said in the late 1920s was too subservient to Moscow, not her brother-in-law, H. H. Kung, whom she sarcastically dubbed the Sage, when someone said that he was a direct descendant of Confucius, not the Americans whom she said had been taken in by Chiang and May-ling and not even her own powerful brother, T. V. Soong, to whom she said in 1928: "The Soongs were made for China, not China for the Soongs."11
As a child, May-ling "was a born Brahmin, tightly wound, haughty and magisterial."12 She was quick-tempered, easily offended and exacted retribution for slights. As an adult, she was known for high energy level and her practical intelligence. She had wit, flair, style and charm which she later turned on world statesmen and particularly visiting Americans, like Wendell Wilkie, who said she electrified him. Her marriage to Chiang Kai- shek was strictly one of convenience for both of them. Chiang wanted access to the Soong name and fortune and the Soong's influence and connections in the West. For May-ling, "Chiang had power . . . he offered her the opportunity to implement historic cha
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Approximate Word count = 2422
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)
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