China Timeline 20th Century

By Zoay

  • The Republic

    Military revolts by reform-minded officers lead to proclamation of Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen and abdication of last Qing emperor. Republic struggles to consolidate its rule amid regional warlordism and the rise of the Communist Party.

  • Affect of the death of Sun Yat-sen

    The death of Sun Yat-sen brings Chiang Kai-shek to the fore. He breaks with the Communists and confirms the governing Kuomintang as a nationalist party.

  • Japan invades China

    Japan invades and gradually occupies more and more of China.

  • Arrival of Mao Zedong

    Mao Zedong emerges as Communist leader during the party's "Long March" to its new base in Shaanxi Province.

  • The Japanese are being united against

    Kuomintang and Communists nominally unite against Japanese. Civil war resumes after Japan's defeat in Second World War.

  • Communist victory

    Mao Zedong, having led the Communists to victory against the Nationalists after more than 20 years of civil war, proclaims the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Nationalists retreat to the island of Taiwan and set up a government there.

  • China's enforcement in Tibet

    China sends the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops into Tibet enforcing a longstanding claim.

  • Mao launches the "Great Leap Forward"

    Mao launches the "Great Leap Forward", a five-year economic plan. Farming is collectivised and labour-intensive industry is introduced. The drive produces economic breakdown and is abandoned after two years. Disruption to agriculture is blamed for the deaths by starvation of millions of people following poor harvests.

  • China and Tibet government

    Chinese forces suppress large-scale revolt in Tibet.

  • Conflict with India

    Brief conflict with India over disputed Himalayan border.

  • Cultural Revolution of Mao

    "Cultural Revolution", Mao's 10-year political and ideological campaign aimed at reviving revolutionary spirit, produces massive social, economic and political upheaval.

  • US President Richard Nixon's visit

    US President Richard Nixon visits. Both countries declare a desire to normalise relations.

  • Death of Mao

    Mao dies. "Gang of Four", including Mao's widow, jockey for power but are arrested and convicted of crimes against the state. From 1977 Deng Xiaoping emerges as the dominant figure among pragmatists in the leadership. Under him, China undertakes far-reaching economic reforms.