Chinese Civil War

GMD Established

Jan 1, 1912

This is the year that the GMD was established. The GMD were the Nationalists of China. This group would eventually square off againt the CCP in the Chinese Civil War

May 4th Movement

May 4, 1919

This was a protest against the Chinese Government. These protests were caling out China for their weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, specifically, allowing Japan to take some Chinese Territory. These protests marked the increase of Chinese Nationalism

CCP Established

Jul 1, 1921

This is the date that the Chinese Communist Party was formed. This party fought against the GMD Nationalists in the Civil War. This party is currently the ruling party in China to this day.

First United Front Established Between GMD and CCP

Jan 1, 1922

The First United Front was established in this year. This was an alliance between the GMD and CCP. They formed the National Revolutionary Army. They set out on the Northern Expedition. These good relations would eventually come to a halt when Jiang Jieshi later takes power.

Sun Yixian Dies

Mar 12, 1925

This is the day that the Nationalist GMD leader, Sun Yixian, died. He was the founder of the GMD and an extremely prominent figure in the party, known as the founding father of the Republic of China.

Jiang Jieshi Takes Over GMD

Jun 5, 1926

Sun Yixian's successor is found as Jiang Jieshi comes to power. He led the Republic of China from 1928-1975. His inability to maintain good relations with the CCP like his predecessor was a cause of the Chinese Civil War.

Jiang Takes Beijing

Jun 1, 1928

Jiang takes over Beijing in June of 1928. He declares that China is united as one.

Japan Attacks Manchuria

Sep 18, 1931

Japan Invades Manchuria and begins what is known as the Manchurian Crisis. This was sparked by the Mukden incident. CCP took a popular route and wanted to regain the territory without help from foreign powers like the US.

Japan Attacks Shanghai

Jan 28, 1932

After the Manchurian Crisis, Japan wanted to further increase influence in China. This is known as the First Shanghai incident to avoid confusion with the Battle of Shanghai, which occured in the Second Sino-Japanese War. League of Nations eventually orders a ceasefire

Tanggu Truce With Japan

May 31, 1933

Truce signed with Japan. This truce officially ended the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. Relations improved between the countries after this truce until fighting again broke out in 1937.

Long March Begins

Oct 16, 1934

This March was caused by the GMD's never ending pursuit of Communists. This March spanned over 6,000 miles and it marked Mao Zedong's rise to power.

Second United Front Established

Dec 24, 1936

This was the second alliance formed between the CCP and the GMD. It was formed to resist Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese War. This suspended the civil war. This alliance was caused by the kidnapping of Jiang Jieshi.

Rape of Nanjing

Dec 13, 1937

This was the Japanese Massacre of residents of Nanjing. It occurred during the second Sino-Japanese War. Death toll is not exactly known, but it is estimated that 40,000-300,000 died. The controversy surrounding this strains Sino-Japanese Relations to this day.

Anhui Incident

Jan 7, 1941

This was a conflict between the GMD and CCP. Their armies engaged against each other, with each side saying the other side instigated it. This incident marked the end of the Second United Front.

Japan Surrenders in China

Sep 21, 1945

Japan surrenders in the China theatre. This marks the end of Japanese conflict and allows the CCP and GMD to fully focus on their conflicts with one another.

Truce Between GMD and CCP

Jan 21, 1946

This was a truce between the GMD and CCP mediated by the US. The US wanted to avoid a civil war, as they did not want to risk getting involved, and they also did not want China to become a single party state.

Fighting Between GMD and CCP Breaks Out Again

Mar 21, 1946

The truce eventually breaks down and fighting continues. The CCP was upset of US support for Jiang Jieshi. This support came from the US anti communism policies.

Battle of Huai Hai

Nov 6, 1948

Battle between the GMD and CCP. This battle was known as the decisive battle of the war. The result of the battle was a decisive communist victory.

CCP Take Nanjing and Shanghai

Apr 21, 1949

The GMD defense continues to fail as the CCP takes Nanjing and Shanghai. The war is nearly coming to an end and the CCP has all but won the war.

People's Republic of China Established

Oct 1, 1949

Mao Zedong establishes the People's Republic of China. This signals the end of the war. The Communist Party and Mao Zedong now have full control over China.

Jiang Flees to Taiwan

Dec 21, 1949

Jiang Jieshi and the ROC members flee to Taiwan after defeat in the Civil War. Jieshi would rule over Taiwan for decades after his death, and to this day, the Republic of China is still situated in Taiwan.