Kodeshian Civil War

The Kodeshian Civil War, took place from 1927 to 1932. This conflict dismantled the Imperial autocracy and led to the rise of military rule. The Liang Dyansty collapsed as the Emperor Qinghuiguo and the old regime were replaced by members of the Imperial parliament who assumed control of the country, forming the a Republican Government which was heavily dominated by factional interests. Royalists loyal to the old regime, received backing from Beifang. Meanwhile, Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Nationalists, and an alliance of military clique formed tenuous alliances that fought amongst each other. The army leadership was split between those loyal to the Emperor and those that support the Imperial Parliament. As the situation deteriorated the Emperor was forced to flee to Beifang. But as the chaos and factional fighting took hold the Military in alliance with Republicans, Nationalists, Democrats and Religious groups achieved a preponderant role. Due to the international political climate at the time, the war had many facets, and different views saw it as class struggle, a struggle between autocracy and democracy, and between revolution and counterrevolution. It has been frequently seen as preamble for the horrors to come in the Great Kesh War.

The war began after a dissatisfaction with ruling classes actions during the Grand Campaigns and culminated in the huge national upheaval and massacres, in which hundreds of unarmed protesters were shot by the Emperor's troops. Workers responded to the massacre with a crippling general strike, forcing Emperor Qinghuiguo to establish a democratically elected parliament. Although the Emperor accepted the new system one year later, he subsequently dismissed the first parliament when they proved uncooperative. Unfulfilled hopes of democracy fuelled revolutionary ideas and violent outbursts targeted at the monarchy. Who sought to restablish absolute monarchy.

A declaration of military opposition against the Emperor's government by a group of generals of the armed forces with support from members of the dismissed Imperial Parliament, Republicans, Nationalists, Democrats, Communists, and Conservative Religious factional parties supported this move forming a tenuous alliance with the military and each other. The coup was supported by military units in the many regions. However, rebelling units in some important cities did not gain control, and those cities remained under the control of the Emperor's government. Kodeshia was thus left militarily and politically divided. The hastily established New Republican Government was established against the Imperial Government fought for control of the country. The Republican forces received munitions, soldiers, and air support from Brig and other nations, while the Imperial side received support from the Beifang and other nations. Other countries, continued to recognise the Imperial government, but followed an official policy of non-intervention. Notwithstanding this policy, tens of thousands of citizens from non-interventionist countries directly participated in the conflict.

The Republicans with the majority of the military forces on side advanced from their strongholds in the south and west, capturing most of Kodeshia's southern coastline in 1928. They also besieged Songhari and the area to its north for much of the war. After much of great plains were captured in 1929, and all vital economic and supply routes were captured the Imperial military position became hopeless. Songhari were occupied without resistance, Republicans declared victory and the new regime received diplomatic recognition from all non-interventionist governments. Thousands of royalist fled to refugee camps in Beifang. Those associated with the losing Imperial side were persecuted by the victorious Republicans. Hopes for the return of democracy were lost as the military factions slowly began eliminating opposing factions within the new Republic government seizing absolute power and the establishing of a military dictatorship led by General Guo Guotai in the aftermath of the war, all remaining parties of the parliament were fused into the structure of the ruling regime.

The war became notable for the passion and political division it inspired and for the many atrocities that occurred, on both sides. Organised purges occurred in territory captured by Republican forces so they could consolidate their future regime, as Imperial forces defeat became clear the military factions within the Republican side began purging dissenting forces within the tenuous alliance of new government. Communists, and Religious factions were first targeted as enemies of the state and then members from the Republicans and Democrats factions which were seen as threats were targeted by military tribunals. A significant number of killings also took place the extent to which Imperial authorities took part in killings is varied but mass killings took place by both sides.

Imperial Parliament Dissolved
The Imperial Parliament was dissolved by the Emperor in 1927. His reasoning for dissolving the Parliament was to end its influence on the Emperor and his administration. As the government had begun to lose popularity due to unpopular reforms, especially taxation, and growing unrest, the Emperor feared that the Parliament might force him to resign or take over control of the country. In response to these concerns the Emperor removed the Parliament in October 1927 and formed a government in his own name. At the same time he reestablished direct control over all aspects of government, including law enforcement and judicial functions. This provided him with more effective means to silence those who opposed his government.

Military coup
The Republican Revolution began as a military coup d'état carried out by a group of military leaders in April of 1928 against the pro-Imperialist government. Guo Guotai a decorated war hero and naval officer who had commanded a ship during the war, instigated the coup. The Republicans planned to carry out their plans before the populace awoke to the news of what was happening. The movement began early in the morning when Guo Guotai ordered his troops to surround the city and put down any uprising. The city of Songhari fell quickly after being surrounded. The only group of rebels who resisted, were eventually defeated, but not until several hours after Songhari had fallen. The rebel leader, Hu Guohua was killed in the battle.

Combatants
The Emperor with forces loyal to the old regime, received backing from Beifang, Akiteiwa and Alvakalia. Meanwhile, Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Nationalists, and an alliance of military clique formed tenuous alliances that fought amongst each other. The army leadership was split between those loyal to the Emperor and those that support the Imperial Parliament. In addition to the tenuous alliance of the republican forces there were also numerous groups that would oppose the Republican Revolution.

Foreign involvement
Roughly 1,000 troops participated in the war. Of those 500 were men. Another 800 Beifang troops fought alongside in addition to many other countries. The exact numbers of participants is unknown.

Aftermath
Songhari fell to the Republicans in late 1928. It became known as the Capital City of the Republic. Shortly after the fall of Songhari the remaining Republicans began pushing southwards, laying siege to major cities like Chenghai. All major roads leading to Chenghai were under Republican control. Many of the prominent families of the capital fled into the countryside. Others chose to remain. In 1930 after years of trying and failing to make a significant advance, Republican forces broke through the Imperial Army defences. After falling the revolution was split between two factions. Those associated with the military faction established a military dictatorship headed by Guo Guotai.