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The Creation of the Nationalist Party
The Nationalist Party was originally a revolutionist group to overthrow the monarchy of China. As soon as China becomes a republic in 1912, the Nationalist Party becomes an official political party of China. This is one of the primal political parties that supports and practices Westernized ideals, such as democracy, in China. Although this party does not become the prevailing government of China, this is one of the groups that help China be united as a nation. -
Chinese Revolution
A group of revolutionaries in Southern China led a successful revolt against the Qing Dynasty, establishing in its place the Republic of China. -
China was divided
China was a divided, backward country ruled by various local warlords and burdened by unequal treaties which gave foreign powers special economic and territorial priveleges in China. -
The May Fourth Movement
The Treaty of Versailles does not return the territories of the former German colonies of the Shandong Province to China. This causes uproar in China. Students and intellectuals demonstrate against the Treaty of Versailles and the Chinese government that supports Japan. This movement also helps the reorganization of the Nationalist Party and the birth of the Communist Party of China. -
The Creation of the Communist Party of China
During the May Fourth Movement, the Marxist ideas and beliefs were spread to the people. This helped the creation of the Marxist political party or the Chinese Communist Party. It is believed that the founders of the Communist Party are Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao. It is the Communist Party that soon becomes the government of China, the regime in power today. -
Nationalist party
In August 1922 Sneevliet called a surprise special plenum of the central committee and proposed that party members join the Kuomintang KMTor Chinese Nationalist Party on the grounds that it was easier to transform the Nationalist Party from the inside than to duplicate its success. -
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. -
The Northern Expedition
The Nationalist Party, with the help of the Soviet Union, starts a campaign to overthrow and defeat the warlords of the East of China. This strengthens the power of the Nationalist Party and control over the lands of China. However, when Chang Kai-Shek becomes leader of the Nationalist Party, he becomes hostile with the Communist Party and finally, attacks them. This is one of the main reasons that cause disputes between the two parties in the future. (1926-8) -
Autumn Harvest Uprising
Mao takes an army of peasants to fight Kuomintang and Hunan landlords-Defeated by Kuomintang. After defeat Mao and other leaders start using guerilla tactics to fight back -
The Long March
The Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, retreats from the attacks of the Nationalist Party, because he is not popular in China during this period. He and the Communist Party flees to different Communist bases. The retreat starts with 87,000 Red Army soldiers and ends with less than 10,000 soldiers, marching over 9000km. The Long March saves the Communist Party, the future and lasting government of China, and also helps Mao gain admiration and support from the people of China. -
Second Sino-Japanese War
Japanese force reaches all the way to Nanjing, where they perform different types of atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre. The attack of Japan unites the people of China with one cause: to drive out the Japanese. The Nationalist Party and the Communist Party temporarily unite, and the Communist Party gains the support of peasants who also wish to resist Japan. This strengthens the power of the Communist Party. -
Period: to
The Invasion of Japan
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Red army
Red Army units waged guerilla war against Japanese forces in the countryside, and the CCP took advantage of the central government’s preoccupation with fighting Japan to expand the CCP’s power and influence. -
Mao Zedong initiates rectification campaigns
Mao Zedong initiates rectification campaigns in CCP-controlled regions like Yenan; he encourages criticism of corrupt leaders and commanders. -
People's Republic Of China Founded
After the communist victory in the Chinese Civil War, Chairman Mao formally establishes the People's Republic of China. He retains the government's top leadership position until 1959 and remains the party chairman until his death in 1976. -
Civil war
Civil war resumed in 1946 between the CCP and KMT. In 1949, the CCP’s Red Army defeated the military forces of the central government in Nanjing, and the KMT-led ROC government fled to Taiwan.
