Draft:The Seven Gentlemen Incident

The Seven Gentlemen Incident (Chinese: 七君子事件) happened on November 23, 1936 in China under the Nanjing KMT government. The seven gentlemen referrs to the seven people who were arrested and then released in the incident. They are Shen Junru, Zhang Naiqi, Zou Taofen, Li Gongpu, Sha Qianli, Shi Liang, and Wang Zaoshi.

Background

China in the 1930s faced threats and challenges both foreign and domestic. With neighboring Japan constantly performing provocative and aggressive actions, civil societies flourished in multiple regions in China to call the KMT government as well as all parties and affilications for action, and respond to foreign threats of invasion for National Survival. This was facilitated and supported by the CCP in forming a united front against Japanese invasion. On May 31, 1939, a civil group called the National All Salvation Association was established in Shanghai. A cohort of notable intellectuals and professionals coming from various backgrounds including law, banking, and journalism became representatives of the organization. A standing committee of representatives was formed. They drafted documents that laid out the goals and objectives of this group. The association called the Nanjing regime for actions including stopping civil war, raising import taxes to cencor Japanese products, adopting democratic governance, and forming a united front to compact Japanese imperialism.

Arrest and Release

The Chiang regime arrested the seven people at the forefront of the association's efforts, accusing them of political crimes. Multiple industries and groups across China took action to protest this arrest, believing the accusations are made-up. A year after, on April 3, 1937, the seven were prosecuted. On the 11th and 25th of June, two rounds of trials took place in Juangsu Province's Supreme Court. The series of actions taken by the government spurred public outrage. Out of pressure from the public, the Nanjing government released the seven gentlemen on July 31. The Sichuan Province's Supreme Court announced the withdrawal of the case in January 1939.

Significance and Legacy

United Front to Combate Foreign Threats

The release of the seven gentlemen and withdrawal of the case encouraged morale to unite and combate Japanese imperialism and government inaction and corruption.

Women's Efforts for National Salvation

Among the interests groups that participated in the civil organizations and salvation movements, one essential group is women. This event exemplifies Chinese women's efforts in forming a united front to against threats of foreign invasion.

Note

The word gentlment in the title does not entail the seven people involved are all male in gender. Shi Liang, one of the seven, is a female figure. The term gentlement, "君子" in Chinese, is used in Confucius culture to described a person with respectable morals and conducts, regardless of gender.