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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