The Soong Sisters are often summarised through one of Mao Zedong’s famous sayings: “One loved money, one loved power, one loved her country.” Although very different, these three women led extraordinary lives, nurtured just as extraordinary relationships, and even changed the course of Chinese history. During the early 20th century, opportunities for women were far rarer than they are today. But one way to achieve influence was to marry into it, so the Soong Sisters did just that.
Humble beginnings
The sisters’ story begins with their father, Charles Jones Soong (1863-1918). Raised in Hainan, the smallest and southernmost province of the People’s Republic of China, Charlie Soong was a peasant boy with big dreams. Following an apprenticeship in the East Indies, he relocated to the United States to be educated and trained as a Methodist missionary. After a brief stint working as a publisher of Chinese Bibles back in Shanghai, he switched gears completely and, with the help of an American patron, he quickly became a wealthy industrialist involved in a number of different businesses.
この記事は All About History UK の Issue 132 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は All About History UK の Issue 132 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
SIEGE OF TOULON
TOULON, FRENCH REPUBLIC SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1793
REDISCOVERING THE FORGOTTEN LIVES OF QUEER MEN
We speak to the editor of a groundbreaking new collection that uncovers what life was like for gay men when homosexuality was illegal in Britain
FEMALE PHYSICIANS OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Determined to make a difference despite the male dominance of the medical world, these pioneering women overcame numerous obstacles in their efforts to aid the infirm
"EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE DAVID, NOBODY WANTS TO BE GOLIATH"
Author Terry Deary discusses his career, writing history, the success of Horrible Histories and his new book
THE FALL OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE
How military errors and a failure to modernise helped to bring down the tsars
“lo Saturnalia!"
What was the 'Roman Christmas\"?
VICTORIAN UNDERWORLD
Discover the gangs that lurked down the dark alleys of 19th century Britain
A HISTORY OF FEASTING
Brian Hayden explains the social, political and cultural importance of these grand occasions
JAPAN HAD INVADED INDIA?
In 1944, the war in South Asia reached a critical moment as Japanese offensives threatened Allied control of north-eastern India and beyond
BATTLE OF EYLAU
PREUSSISCH EYLAU, EAST PRUSSIA (NOW BAGRATIONOVSK, KALININGRAD OBLAST, RUSSIA) 7-8 FEBRUARY 1807
