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Xinhai Revolution
The first Chinese revolution, led by Sun Yat-Sen, leads to the end of the Chinese dynastic system, and the beginning of a new government -
Sun Yat-Sen elected President
The new Republic of China's provisional government is formed, and Sun Yat-Sen is elected to be its president. -
Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party is formed by Mao Zedong and 11 co-conspirators, causing a battle for China's reform -
Death of Sun Yat-Sen
Sun Yat-Sen's death leaves a hole in the presidency. -
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Chinese Civil War
The leaders of the Guomendang party grow angry at the Communists, and a civil war occurs -
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The Long March
The Communist military leadership leads the army through the mountains, taking 368 days and marching an average of 24 miles a day. -
Party Leadership
Mao Zedong becomes unofficial party leader in the middle of the Long March -
Rape of Nanking
Japanese troops destroy Nanking, brutally killing most of its inhabitants. Many nationalist troops don civilan clothing and flee the city -
Rectification Program Begins
Mao begins the Rectification program. Thousands of intellectuals are killed or sent to do manual labor, in an attempt to re-educate them on what "real" China is like. -
Proclamation of People's Republic of China
Mao Zedong declares the creation of the People's Republic of China. -
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"Spies" Executed
In this span of time, 28,332 people were accused of being spies or counterrevolutionaries and executed. -
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First 5-Year Plan
The First 5-year plan in China resulted mostly in the starvation of over 20 million Chinese citizens. It was a success, but at great cost. -
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Cultural Revolution
In the desire to strengthen his own position, Mao encourages young adults to overthrow the "old" ways of thinking, empowering the Red Guard to destroy property and artifacts, and sent many old-idea intellectuals to the countryside to do hard labor. -
Death of Chairman Mao
Mao Zedong dies.