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A warlord is defined as a supreme military leader or a military commander who exercises civil power by force in a limited area. In early to mid-20th century China, warlords were independent military commanders who ruled various parts of the country after the death of Yuan Shikai in 1916. These leaders often came from Yuan's Beiyang Army or gained power through provincial military interests or foreign backing, notably from Japan.12

The period was characterized by shifting alliances and constant conflict among warlord factions, such as the Anhui, Zhili, and Fengtian cliques, as they vied for territory and influence. While Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek reunified China in 1928, many warlords were incorporated into his army, continuing to exert local power until 1949.2

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