Editing Yan'an (section)

==History==
[[File:China, Miscellaneous Scenes- Street in Yan'an, Shaanxi (7454292752).jpg|thumb|Street in Yan'an, 1914]]Yan'an was populated at least as early as the [[Xia dynasty]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2016-07-15|title=|script-title=zh:延安市历史沿革|trans-title=Yan'an Organizational History|url=http://www.xzqh.org/html/list/327.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012152/http://xzqh.org/html/show/sn/20380.html|archive-date=2020-08-06|access-date=2021-05-14|publisher=XZQH.org}}</ref> when it formed part of {{Interlanguage link|Yong Prefecture (Xia dynasty)|lt=Yong Prefecture|zh|雍州 (胡夏)}}.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title= |script-title=zh:延安概况 |trans-title=Yan'an Overview |url=http://dfz.shaanxi.gov.cn/sqzlk/sxnj_16138/sxnjwz/yas_16203/yanj/yanj2016/201703/t20170328_901843.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204043343/http://dfz.shaanxi.gov.cn/sqzlk/sxnj_16138/sxnjwz/yas_16203/yanj/yanj2016/201703/t20170328_901843.html |archive-date=2024-12-04 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=dfz.shaanxi.gov.cn |publisher=Shaanxi Provincial Local Chronicle Office |language=zh}}</ref> The area was not part of the subsequent [[Shang dynasty]], and was instead inhabited by the [[Guifang]],<ref name=":11" /> who fought against the Shang dynasty. The area was later inhabited by the [[Quanrong]] and the [[Xianyun]] during the [[Western Zhou]] period.<ref name=":11" /> During the [[Spring and Autumn period]], the area was inhabited by the [[Beidi|Beidi people]].<ref name=":2" /> In the early portions of the [[Warring States period]], the central and northern parts of present-day Yan'an belonged to the state of [[Wei (state)|Wei]], while the southern part belonged to the state of [[Qin (state)|Qin]].<ref name=":11" /> Later on in the Warring States period, the whole area was conquered by the Qin state.<ref name=":11" />

Upon the establishment of the [[Qin dynasty]] in 221 BCE, the area was organized as part of [[Shang Commandery]].<ref name=":11" /> The area remained part of Shang Commandery during the [[Han dynasty]].<ref name=":11" /> The area's [[Administrative division|administrative divisions]] were reorganized during the [[Northern Wei]]: the southern portion was organized as {{Interlanguage link|Beihua Prefecture|zh|北华州}}, which comprised {{Interlanguage link|Zhongbu Commandery|zh|中部郡}}, {{Interlanguage link|Fucheng Commandery (Northern Wei)|lt=Fucheng Commandery|zh|敷城郡 (北魏)}}, Yizhou Commandery ({{Lang-zh|s=义州郡|t=義州郡}}), and Lezhou Commandery ({{Lang-zh|s=乐州郡|t=樂州郡}}); the northern portion was organized as {{Interlanguage link|Dongxia Prefecture|zh|东夏州}}, which comprised Biancheng Commandery ({{Lang-zh|c=遍城郡}}), {{Interlanguage link|Dingyang Commandery|zh|定阳郡}}, Shang Commandery, and [[Shuofang Commandery]], as well as {{Interlanguage link|Jinming Commandery|zh|金明郡}} within [[Xià Prefecture]].<ref name=":11" /> During the During the [[Western Wei]], the area was organized as {{Interlanguage link|Yan Prefecture (Shaanxi)|lt=Yan Prefecture|zh|延州 (陕西省)}}, [[Fu Prefecture (Shaanxi)|Fu Prefecture]], and [[Danzhou (modern Shaanxi)|Dan Prefecture]].<ref name=":11" /> Under the [[Sui dynasty]], the area was re-organized as {{Interlanguage link|Yan'an Commandery|zh|延安郡}},<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2019-09-14|title=|script-title=zh:央视来打卡的网红延安二道街夜市文化：见证城市发展变迁|url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_4427607|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514161949/https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_4427607|archive-date=2021-05-14|access-date=2021-05-14|website=[[The Paper (China)|The Paper]]|language=zh}}</ref> and a military base was established.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

During the subsequent [[Tang dynasty]], the area belonged to {{Interlanguage link|Guannei Circuit|zh|关内道}},<ref name=":11" /> and it became an important defensive outpost.<ref>{{Cite book|title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers|year=1996|isbn=1-884964-04-4|editor-last=Schellinger|editor-first=Paul|location=London and Chicago|pages=874|editor-last2=Salkin|editor-first2=Robert}}</ref> Upon the Tang dynasty's establishment in 618 CE, three local [[Commandery (China)|commanderies]] were replaced with [[Zhou (administrative division)|prefectures]].<ref name=":11" /> The following year, another prefecture, {{Interlanguage link|Fang Prefecture (Shaanxi)|lt=Fang Prefecture|zh|坊州}} was created in the area of present-day Yan'an.<ref name=":11" /> The prefecture system was briefly abolished in 742 CE, resulting in the area's four prefectures being reclassified as commanderies, although this was reverted in 758 CE.<ref name=":11" />

At the beginning of the [[Song dynasty]], the area's four local prefectures belonged to {{Interlanguage link|Yongxingjun Circuit|zh|永兴军路}}.<ref name=":11" /> However, early on in the Song dynasty, the newly formed [[Tangut people|Tangut]]-led [[Western Xia|Western Xia dynasty]] briefly conquered northwestern portions of present-day Yan'an.<ref name=":11" /> Upon reconquering the area, the Song government placed it under the jurisdiction of two [[Military government|military-run]] jurisdictions known as {{Interlanguage link|Jun (military administrative division)|lt=jun|zh|军 (行政区划)}}: {{Interlanguage link|Bao'an Jun|zh|保安军}} and Dingbian Jun ({{Lang-zh|s=定边军|t=定邊軍}}).<ref name=":11" /> In 1041, {{Interlanguage link|Fuyan Circuit|zh|鄜延路}} was established in present-day Yan'an.<ref name=":11" /> In 1080, Chinese [[polymath]] [[Shen Kuo]] was deployed to Yan Prefecture to aid in its defenses against the Western Xia.<ref name="sivin 1995 III 8">Sivin (1995), III, 8.</ref> Around this time, he noted that a landslide on the bank of a large river near Yan Prefecture had revealed an open space several dozens of feet under the ground once the bank collapsed.<ref name="needham 1986 volume 3 614">Needham (1986), Volume 3, 614.</ref> This underground space contained hundreds of petrified bamboos still intact with roots and trunks, "all turned to stone" as Shen wrote.<ref name="needham 1986 volume 3 614" /> Shen noted that bamboo does not grow in the area, and he was puzzled during which previous dynasty the bamboos could have grown.<ref name="needham 1986 volume 3 614" /> Considering that damp and gloomy low places provide suitable conditions for the growth of bamboo, Shen deduced that the area's climate must have fit that description in very ancient times.<ref name="needham 1986 volume 3 614" /> Although this would have intrigued many of his readers, the study of [[paleoclimatology]] in medieval China did not develop into an established discipline.<ref name="needham 1986 volume 3 614" /> During the autumn months of 1081, Shen was successful in defending Song dynasty territory while capturing several nearby fortified towns of the Western Xia.<ref name="sivin 1995 III 9">Sivin (1995), III, 9.</ref> [[Emperor Shenzong of Song]] rewarded Shen with numerous titles for his merit [[Song-Xia wars|in these battles]], and in the sixteen months of Shen's military campaign, he received 273 letters from the Emperor.<ref name="sivin 1995 III 9" /> However, Emperor Shenzong trusted an arrogant military officer who disobeyed the emperor and Shen's proposal for strategic fortifications, instead fortifying what Shen considered useless strategic locations. Furthermore, this officer expelled Shen from his commanding post at the main [[citadel]], so as to deny him any glory in chance of victory.<ref name="sivin 1995 III 9" /> The result of this was nearly catastrophic, as the forces of the arrogant officer were decimated;<ref name="sivin 1995 III 9" /> Xinzhong Yao states that the death toll was 60,000.<ref name="yao 2003 544">Yao (2003), 544.</ref> Nonetheless, Shen was successful in defending his fortifications and the only possible Tangut invasion-route to Yanzhou.<ref name="sivin 1995 III 9" /> However, it was eventually taken over by the Tanguts in 1082 once Shen's defensive victories were marginalized and sacrificed by the new chancellor Cai Que (who handed the city over to the Tanguts as terms of a peace treaty).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In 1089, Yan Prefecture was renamed to Yan'an, and was promoted to a [[Fu (administrative division)|fu]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" />

At the start of the [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]], Fuyan Circuit remained intact, and administered Yan'an Fu, Fu Prefecture, Fang Prefecture, Dan Prefecture, {{Interlanguage link|Suide Prefecture|zh|绥德州}}, Bao'an Jun, and Dingbian Jun.<ref name=":11" /> In 1146, Dingbian Jun was abolished, and in 1171, Bao'an Jun was reorganized as a [[County (China)|county]].<ref name=":11" /> In 1182, Bao'an County was reorganized as Bao'an Prefecture.<ref name=":11" /> In 1221, the [[Mongol Empire]], led by [[Genghis Khan]], began its invasion of [[Shaanxi]] with the aid of the Western Xia.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2018-06-27 |title= |script-title=zh:木华黎 |trans-title=Muqali |url=https://www.nmgqq.com.cn/renwuchanglang/gudairenwu/2018-6-27/11349.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517005936/https://www.nmgqq.com.cn/renwuchanglang/gudairenwu/2018-6-27/11349.html |archive-date=2025-05-17 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=www.nmgqq.com.cn |publisher=History and Local Chronicles Research Office of the [[Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] |language=zh}}</ref> That year, in the eastern portion of present-day Yan'an, the combined Mongol and Western Xia forces defeated a 30,000-strong Jin army led by [[General officer|general]] {{Interlanguage link|Wanyan Heda|zh|完颜合达}}.<ref name=":12" />

During the [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]] [[Yuan dynasty|dynasty]], {{Interlanguage link|Yan'an Circuit|zh|延安路}} was established, which administered Fu Prefecture, {{Interlanguage link|Jia Prefecture (ancient Shaanxi)|lt=Jia Prefecture|zh|葭州}}, and Suide Prefecture.<ref name=":11" />

In 1369, during the [[Ming dynasty]], Yan'an Circuit was reverted back to a fu.<ref name=":11" />

In 1725, during the [[Qing dynasty]], the {{Interlanguage link|Fuzhou Directly Administered Prefecture|zh|鄜州直隶州}} was established in the area, which administered Yan'an Fu and Fu Prefecture.<ref name=":11" /> Prior to the [[Dungan Revolt (1862–1877)]], much of rural Yan'an was inhabited by [[Islam in China|Chinese Muslims]].<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=128}} Much of its Muslim population was either killed in massacres, or forcibly relocated to areas further northwest, like [[Gansu]].<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=128}} The demographic impacts of this was felt for decades, as the local economy cratered, and insufficient government support hindered recovery efforts:<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Keating |first=Pauline |date=July 1994 |title=The Ecological Origins of the Yan'an Way |journal=[[The Australian Journal of Chinese Affairs]] |language=en |volume=32 |issue=32 |pages=123–153 |doi=10.2307/2949830 |issn=0156-7365 |jstor=2949830}}</ref>{{Rp|page=|pages=128–129}} In 1823, Bao'an (present-day [[Zhidan County]]) had a population of 51,000, but only 170 remained in 1868; while Yan'an (present-day [[Baota District]]) had 61,200 inhabitants in 1823, but only about 10,000 in 1930.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=128}} One account from a British traveler in 1911 described Yan'an as "a city of pretentious Government Offices long fallen into decay...Gazing down a vista of dim distant years one caught a glimpse of past splendour; but the living forces of which it had been the drapery and symbols had long since died out, leaving stagnation, corruption and decay to reign in its halls".<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=|pages=129–130}}

After the fall of the Qing dynasty, the city became part of the newly created [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], and was reorganized by the Republican government in 1913 under {{Interlanguage link|Yulin Circuit|zh|榆林道}}.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /> In 1920, the [[Circuit (administrative division)|circuit's]] government was moved to the city of Fushi, within present-day Baota District.<ref name=":11" /> Circuits were abolished in 1928, resulting in counties being directly administered by the provincial government.<ref name=":11" />

Throughout the Republic of China, [[Feudalism|feudal]]-like [[landlordism]] persisted in Yan'an, and a number of observers found it to be worse in the region than elsewhere in rural China.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=|pages=134–135}}

===Red Capital and the Chinese Civil War===
[[File:Mao1944.jpg|thumb|Mao with visiting foreign journalists in 1944]]
In 1934, two regional [[Chinese Soviet Republic|soviets]] were established.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /> In October 1935, following the [[Long March]], forces of the [[Chinese Red Army]] arrived in the area from [[Jiangxi]].<ref name=":2" /> The following month, communist forces established a regional government in [[Wayaobu Subdistrict|Wayaobu]] and re-organized regional soviet administrations.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /> In May 1936, the area was re-organized by communist forces as [[Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region|Shaan-Gan-Ning Province]] ({{Lang-zh|c=陕甘宁省}}).<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /> In December 1936, at the start of the [[Second United Front]], Yan'an was taken over by the Chinese Communists.<ref>''[[Mao Tse-tung: Ruler of Red China]]'' by [[Pierre Stephen Robert Payne|Robert Payne]], page 175</ref> When [[Edgar Snow]] went there in 1936, it was under [[Kuomintang]] control and a Red army siege had recently been lifted.<ref>''[[Red Star Over China]]'', by [[Edgar Snow]]. Page 42</ref> Unknown to him at the time, there had also been contacts there between the Communists and the generals who later staged the [[Xi'an Incident]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Snow actually met Mao at Bao'an (Pao An).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Having rebelled against Chiang, the local warlords decided to hand over Yan'an to the Communists, who were now allies. They pulled out, and in January 1937, the Red Army entered Yan'an,<ref name=":2" /> without a fight. Around this time, American journalist [[Agnes Smedley]] was covering the Communist [[Eighth Route Army]], which she wrote about in her book [[Battle Hymn of China]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qiu |first=Shi |date=2017-08-06 |title= |script-title=zh:史沫特莱的新四军岁月 |trans-title=Agnes Smedley's New Fourth Army Years |url=http://culture.people.com.cn/GB/n1/2017/0806/c1013-29451833.html?sid_for_share=99125_3 |url-status= |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=[[People's Daily Online]] |publisher=[[People's Daily Press]] |language=zh}}</ref>

On September 6, 1937, Yan'an became the seat of the communist government of what became known as the [[Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region|Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" /> It became the center for intensive training of party members and army troops. Thousands of intellectuals traveled to Yan'an from all over the country.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=123}} From 1937 through 1941, the Communist government organized large-scale migrations to Yan'an, predominantly from [[Suide County|Suide]] to the northeast, which was a significantly more densely populated area.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=141|pages=}} Many farmers from the region were attracted to Yan'an for the prospect of working more land, as well as the Communists' land and tax reforms.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=141|pages=}} From 1937 to 1939, over 1,500,000 ''[[Mu (unit of area)|mu]]'' of previously unused land was cleared for agriculture.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=143|pages=}} During this time, the large drive for intense rural labor earned its detractors, and was publicly criticized by some for "giving people a distaste for collective labour".<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=143|pages=}} Subsequently, these types of large-scale labor projects would be handled by the army.<ref name=":7" />{{Rp|page=143|pages=}} In 1941, [[Mao Zedong]] put special influence on a series of training programs to "correct unorthodox tendencies" and essentially mold the peasantry to the communist model. One of the first CCP programs launched was the [[Yan'an Rectification Movement]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hua |first1=Gao |title=[[How the Red Sun Rose|How the Red Sun Rose: The Origins and Development of the Yan'an Rectification Movement, 1930–1945]] |last2=Mosher |first2=Stacy |last3=Jian |first3=Guo |date=2018 |publisher=[[Chinese University of Hong Kong Press]] |isbn=978-962-996-822-9 |jstor=j.ctvbtzp48}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Hua|first=Gao|url=http://cup.columbia.edu/book/how-the-red-sun-rose/9789629968229|title=How the Red Sun Rose: The Origin and Development of the Yan'an Rectification Movement, 1930–1945|date=2019|publisher=The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press|isbn=978-962-996-822-9|translator-last=Mosher|translator-first=Stacey|translator-last2=Jian|translator-first2=Guo|access-date=2020-08-07|archive-date=2021-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101102514/http://cup.columbia.edu/book/how-the-red-sun-rose/9789629968229|url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[File:Yanan Shaanxi maoist city IMG 8453.JPG|thumb|Conference room; tourists can rent and dress in Chinese Red Army garb]]

===World War II and resumption of the Chinese Civil War===
{{Citations needed section|date=May 2025}}
During the [[Second World War]] almost all buildings, except a pagoda, were destroyed by Japanese bombing, and most inhabitants took to living in [[yaodong]]s, artificial caves or [[Dugout (shelter)|dugout]]s carved into hillsides which were traditional dwellings in [[Shaanxi]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} While Yan'an was the center of Chinese communist life many prominent Western journalists including [[Edgar Snow]] and [[Anna Louise Strong]] met with Mao Zedong and other important leaders for interviews.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Other Westerners, such as [[Hsiao Li]] and [[Michael Lindsay, 2nd Baron Lindsay of Birker|Michael Lindsay]], were part of the resistance movement in Yan'an.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite web|date=2010-06-09|title=Lady Lindsay of Birker|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7815180/Lady-Lindsay-of-Birker.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509055952/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7815180/Lady-Lindsay-of-Birker.html|archive-date=2021-05-09|access-date=2021-05-14|website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]}}</ref>

In July 1942, [[Wuqi County]] was established.<ref name=":11" />

Beginning in 1944, Yan'an played host to the [[United States Army Observation Group]], also known as the Dixie Mission.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Perlez|first=Jane|date=2017-01-01|title='Dixie Mission' Americans Scorned for Backing Mao Are Hailed in China|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/world/asia/dixie-mission-americans-china-mao.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514172429/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/world/asia/dixie-mission-americans-china-mao.html|archive-date=2021-05-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This group sought to establish relations with Chinese Communist forces, investigate the Communist Party politically and militarily, and determine whether the United States should back Communist forces.<ref name=":4" /> Prominent Americans tasked with evaluating the Communist forces politically and militarily include [[John S. Service]] of the [[United States Department of State]], and [[Colonel]] [[David D. Barrett]] of the [[United States Army]].<ref name=":4" /> The mission explored possible plans for cooperation against the Japanese.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The Americans had a presence in Yan'an from 1944 to 1947.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

In May 1945, the government of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border moved from Yan'an to Xi'an.<ref name=":11" />

Yan'an was briefly captured in the [[Battle of Yan'an]] by the Kuomintang forces in the [[Chinese Civil War]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last1=Jia |first1=Yong |last2=Qian |first2=Zongyang |last3=Wang |first3=Chuangbao |last4=Zeng |first4=Hao |last5=Kang |first5=Xiaohuai |last6=Zhou |first6=Xiaomin |date=2018-08-23 |title= |script-title=zh:回望延安 |trans-title=Looking back at Yan'an |url=http://www.81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2018-08/23/content_214127.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217142150/http://www.81.cn/jfjbmap/content/2018-08/23/content_214127.htm |archive-date=2025-02-17 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=[[People's Liberation Army Daily]] |publisher=[[Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission]] |language=zh}}</ref> The Communist leadership learned of a planned attack in advance,{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} and ultimately voluntarily withdrew from the city.<ref name=":13" /> From then until their capture of [[Beijing]] they were usually based somewhere else, often with a mobile headquarters.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} On April 21, 1948, the [[People's Liberation Army]] retook Yan'an.<ref name=":13" />

===People's Republic of China===
In May 1950, under the [[China|People's Republic of China]], Yan'an was re-organized as Yan'an District ({{Lang-zh|c=延安分区}}), and was further re-organized as a special district ({{Lang-zh|c=专区|s=|t=|p=}}) in October.<ref name=":2" /> Yan'an was later established as a [[Prefecture (China)|prefecture]] ({{Lang-zh|c=地区|s=|t=|p=}}).<ref name=":2" />

On November 15, 1996, Yan'an Area was revoked and established as a [[prefecture-level city]].<ref name=":11" />

Yan'an's experienced fast-paced [[Urbanization in China|urbanization]] during the [[Eleventh five-year plan (China)|Eleventh Five-Year Plan]] period (2006–2010).<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=125}} From 2011 to 2015, it underwent a [[red tourism]]-oriented beautification project.<ref name=":8" />{{Rp|page=127}}

Xi Jinping visited Yan'an in 2015.<ref name=":Hou" />{{Rp|page=89}} During the visit, he emphasized the importance of studying the [[History of the Chinese Communist Party|Communist Party's history]] in Yan'an and called for a renewed focus on the principles of [[Marxism–Leninism]], [[Mao Zedong Thought]], and the party's revolutionary tradition.<ref name=":Hou" />{{Rp|page=89}}