Chinese Civil War

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.

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