Background: Pre WWII

• China’s long-lasting monarchy ended when the Revolution of 1911 created a republic.

• China is mostly agricultural, but coastal cities developed industry and overseas trade.

  • The cities were largely influenced by Westerners.

Nationalists vs. Communists

Tensions & violence grew between the Nationalists & the Communists.

• <<Nationalist Leader: Chiang Kai-shek <<

  • Western Educated

  • Largely supported by urban industrialists

• [[Communist Leader: Mao Zedong [[

  • Founder of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

  • Largely supported by the peasant majority

WWII

Nationalists and Communists put aside their differences to fight against Japan.

• Japan invaded from Manchuria

• China was part of the Allied Powers.

The Chinese Revolution

• Once Japan was defeated, war between the Nationalists & Communists resumed.

  • US sent the Nationalist government $2 Billion

• Communists overtook the capital Beijing

  • Chiang fled to Taiwan

  • Mao established the People’s Republic of China, signed a treaty of friendship with the USSR

Two Chinas?

• The US recognized Nationalist China as the true government of China

• The US vetoed representatives from Communist China from the UN Security Council.

  • The Soviet Union walks out of the UN in protest.

• The US encouraged quick recovery of Japan to help contain the spread of Communism.