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Double Tenth Revolution and establishment of the Chinese Communist Party
In October 1911, the Manchu Dynasty was overthrown in a revolution known as the Double Tenth. In November 1911, delegates from the 'independent' provinces met in Nanjing to declare the creation of the Chinese Republic -
May Fourth Movement
Students led a mass demonstration in Beijing against the warlords, traditional Chinese culture and the Japanese. The movement was dedicated to change and the rebirth of China as an independent nation. -
Chinese Communist Party formed
As well as the GMD, another revolutionary party emerged during the warlord period, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This party was set up in 1921. Due to weakness in military strength, and some shared aims, the CCP agreed to work with the GMD. -
First United Front established between GMD and CCP
The two parties wanted to unify China. With the shared belief that it was inevitable to get rid of the warlords, they formed in the First United Front. Both groups agreed it was necessary for China to be freed of the forign imperialist powers. -
Jiang Jieshi becomes leader of the GMD
After the death of Sun, a general took over leadership of th GMD, General Jiang Jieshi. He was a committed nationalist, and jumped on board with the GMD. Jieshi was determined to act on the Three principles and started by attempting to unify China. -
Jiang has control of China. GMD turns against the Communists
The GMD captured Beijing in 1928. Within two years, the United Front of the GMD and CCP had destroyed the power of the warlords. Due to the popular support for the communists, Jiang expelled all communists from the GMD. The CCp decided to flee and the GMD pursued them. The civil war had begun. -
Long March begins
Outnumbered and surronded by GMD forces, the CCP faced annihilation. Mao decided that the only chance the CCP had was to break through the GMD's lines and set up another base. They succeeded in doing this on October 19th. Then would later embark on what was known as the Long March. Consisted of the crossing of the Xiang Rver, Zunyi Conference, Upper Yangtze River Crossing, Luding Bridge, disputes, Songpan marshes and Shaanxi. -
Jiang Jieshi is taken hostage by warlord Zhang Xueliang in Xi'an. Scond Front established
By 1936 Stalin saw Jiang Jieshi as the only leader in China who could fight them. The Second United Front was sealed when Jiang Jieshi was kidnapped IN Xi'an by the warlord Zhang. In April 1937, the Second Front was formed. -
Japanese invade China
In April 1937, the Second United Front was formed suspending the civil war. The Japanese responded to this situation by attacking the Marco Polo Bridge outside Beijing in July 1937. Ultimately, the beginning of the war between China and Japan. -
Rape of Nanjing
In the battle of Shanghai, Jiang Jieshi's forces were forced to retreat after the loss of 300,000 troops. The capital, Nanjing, was relocated to Chongqing for the rest of the war. Nanjing would later face the onslaught of the Japanese. The atrocities that were then committed there became known as the 'Rape of Nanjing'. -
Anhui incident ends Second United Front
The Second United Front was an alliance between the GMD and the CCP created to resist Japanese invasion during the Second-Sino Japanese War. The CCP and GMD frequently clashed against each other. The friction culminated into the New 4th rmy Incident in Souther Anhui. In which the GMD National Revolutionary Army decimated the headquarters of the Communist New 4th Army, This battle ultimately dissovled the Second United Front. -
US Representative leads talks between GMD and CCP
The Americans worked to achieve a diplomatic solution between the CCP and the GMD. General Marshall was given the responsibility of brokering a deal, and managed to get the GMD and the CCP to agree on the following terms: prepare to set up coalition government, form a temporary state council, unite their armies and have free elections for local goverment. -
Agreement announced: Both sides send forces to Manchuria
Marshall managed to get the GMD na dthe CCP to agree on a deal with their following terms mentioned. But while the negotiations were being finalized in February 1926, both sides sent troops to Manchuria. There would be no diplomatic solution in China; its fate would be determined on the battlefield. -
Failure of Truce between CCP and GMD
Although the CCP forces were better armed, the GMD greatly outnumbered them. President Truman sent Generall Marshall to mediate the conflict, attempting to prevent a civil war and avert the US from fighting in it. The truce facilitated by Marshall ultimately broke down in March 1946. The GMD was soon in control of the central area of Manchuria, resulting in the CCP demanding a ceasefire and condemning US support for Jiang Jieshi. -
Marshall able to form truce
During this stage, the US intervention, according to Jiang, played a vital role in the outcome of the Civil War. In June, General Marshall managed ti get Jiang to agree to another truce. The ultimate ceasefire would be advantageous for the CCP. -
Mao announces land reforms
The communists used the time of the ceasefire to train their forces and ready them for the war. At the time, Mao also introduced land reforms in the area. As done in Yan'an, land reform led to peasants joining the communists, as their victory meant that they could keep their land. -
US Congress passes China Aid Act
Settlement reached between China and the US. Truman signed off legislation establishing foreign assitance. The support for China was made possible under the provisions of title IV of the Act of 1948. The aid agreement was to try and stop social unrest. None of the funds were intended for military assistance. -
Battle of Huai-Hui
Divided into three phases. The battle began in 1948 between the East China Army led by Su Yu and Chen Yi and the Central China army commanded by Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping. In the second phase the Nationalists were ordered to give up the city and retreat South. The last phase consisted of the Communists attempting to persuade Du Yuming to surrender, but he refused. -
GMD loses battle of Huai-Hui
The Battle of Huai-Hui was one of the greatest fights of modern Chinese history. In the battle, the Communists (CCP) defeated the Nationalist party (GMD). Jiang had been forced against his will by the Xi'an Incident of December 1936 into forming a Second United Front against the threat of imperial Japan. Jiang demilitarized much of his army and ultimately lost the battle of Huai-Hui. -
Mao announces establishment of the People's Republic of China
Capitalizing on their success, the PLA launched an offensive against the railway junction of Xuzhou. The communists would later fight a battle that relied on mass artillery. They would defeat the nationalists and now the whole of northern China was under communist control. On October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. "Our nation will never again be an insulted nation. We have stood up" - Mao Zedong
