Abstract

The League was founded in Shanghai toward the end of 1932 on the initiative of Song Qingling, Cai Yuanpei, Yang Quan, Lin Yutang, and others; a section was later established in Beiping, headed by Hu Shi. The League was established in response to Guomindang's increasing repression of leftist intellectuals and suspected Communist supporters, and drew support from a broad range of the Chinese political spectrum. It sought the release of all political prisoners and also publicized violations of civil rights. Throughout its brief existence the League was fraught with internal strife due to the different goals and political beliefs of its members, which led to the expulsion of Hu Shi. The League came to an abrupt end after less than six months when one of its members was assassinated, presumably by the Blue Shirts, a clandestine organization in charge of intelligence operations against the Guomindang's political opponents.