Chinese revolution events & figures

Early Republican Era

Early Republican Era

Period from 1912 to 1928 in China marked by the establishment of the Republic of China after the Xinhai Revolution.

Warlord Era

Period following Yuan Shikai's death in 1916 characterized by the fragmentation of China into territories controlled by various warlords.

First United Front

Alliance formed in 1923 between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to combat warlord rule.

Shanghai Massacre

Event in 1927 where Chiang Kai-shek ordered the purge of Communists in Shanghai, resulting in the death of approximately 5,000 individuals.

Jiangxi Soviet

Communist base established in 1931, governing over 3 million people and 30,000 square kilometers at its peak.

Nationalist Decade

Period from 1928 to 1937 characterized by relative stability and modernization under the Kuomintang (KMT).

Long March

Strategic retreat of the Red Army from Jiangxi to Shaanxi in 1934-1935, covering about 9,000 kilometers with only 8,000 survivors.

Japanese Occupation of Manchuria

Invasion and occupation of Manchuria by Japan in 1931, marking the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia.

Sino-Japanese War

Full-scale war between China and Japan from 1937 to 1945, resulting in millions of Chinese civilian deaths and refugees.

Civil War

Conflict between the KMT and CCP from 1946 to 1949, leading to the CCP's victory and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.

Sun Yixian’s Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood, providing a blueprint for China's modernization.

New Culture Movement

Cultural awakening in the 1910s-1920s promoting science, democracy, and challenging traditional values.

Mao Zedong Thought

Ideology emphasizing peasant-based revolution, guerrilla warfare, and continuous revolution.

Yuan Shikai

Military leader and first President of the Republic of China who attempted to restore monarchy in 1915.

Sun Yixian

Leader of the Xinhai Revolution and founder of the Republic of China, revered as the father of modern China.

Jiang Jieshi

Leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) and head of the Nationalist government, known for his authoritarian rule and the Northern Expedition.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the Chinese Communist Party and architect of the People's Republic of China, known for leading the Long March.