After the smoke of the First World War dissipated, China, as one of the victorious powers, should have ushered in a historical opportunity to wash away the century-old shame and regain its national prestige. However, the Shandong issue is like a sharp knife that pierces deeply into the hearts of every Chinese. In this global realignment of power, why has China not been able to smoothly regain sovereignty over Shandong? Behind this is the dual constraints of the complicated international political pattern and the domestic political situation.
Secret Room Deals of the Great Powers: At the Paris Peace Conference, Shandong's interests were used as bargaining chips for the exchange of interests between the Great Powers, and Japan, relying on its actions in the war and its private agreements with Britain and France, strongly demanded to inherit all German rights and interests in Shandong. Although China argues on the basis of reason, it is powerless in the face of great power.
Weakness and Awakening at Home: The weakness and internal divisions of the Beiyang government have led to a lack of a unified and firm voice on foreign affairs. This series of injustices eventually triggered the vigorous May Fourth Movement, and the awakening of national consciousness injected new impetus into China's later diplomatic struggle.
Tossing and turning on the international stage: It was not until the Washington Conference that China, with the support of the League of Nations, diplomatically forced Japan to make concessions on Shandong. But this is not a complete victory, and Japan's economic influence in Shandong is still significant.
This battle for rights and interests around Shandong is a complex and profound episode in China's modern history, which not only reveals the logic of power in international relations, but also witnesses the tenacity and unyielding rise of the Chinese nation in the face of adversity.