China years 1911 to 1976

By Lucilleeeeeeee

  • Chiang Kai-shek breaks with the Communists

    1925 - 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 Invasion

    1931-45 - Japan invade Manchuria, attack Shanghai and gradually occupies more and more of China.

  • Mao Zedong emerges as Communist leader

    1934-35 - Mao Zedong emerges as Communist leader during the party's "Long March" to its new base in Shaanxi Province.

  • Kuomintang and Communists nominally unite

    1937 - Kuomintang and Communists nominally unite against Japanese. Civil war resumes after Japan's defeat in Second World War.

  • Nationalists retreat to the island of Taiwan

    1949 - 1 October - 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 sends PLA into Tibet

    1950 October - China sends People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops into Tibet enforcing a longstanding claim.

  • "Great Leap Forward"

    1958 - 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.

  • Suppress large-scale revolt in Tibet

    1959 - Chinese forces suppress large-scale revolt in Tibet.

  • Himalayan border conflict

    1962 - Brief conflict with India over disputed Himalayan border.

  • "Cultural Revolution"

    1966-76 - "Cultural Revolution", Mao's 10-year political and ideological campaign aimed at reviving revolutionary spirit, produces massive social, economic and political upheaval.

  • Normalise relation with US

    1972 - US President Richard Nixon visits. Both countries declare a desire to normalise relations.

  • Chiang Kaishek Dies in Taiwan

    Chiang Kaishek, former President of the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975 dies.

  • Mao dies

    1976 - 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.