Chinese Civil War

The CCP was officially established, playing a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War and the subsequent history of China.

The Shanghai Massacre occurred on April 12, 1927, when Chiang Kai-shek, the general of the Nationalist-led military, attacked members of the Chinese Communist Party without reserve, marking the official beginning of the Chinese Civil War.

The official commencement of the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and the Communists, leading to a prolonged period of internal conflict in China.

On 9 September 1927, Mao led an uprising in Changsha, aiming to spark peasant uprisings across Hunan. Despite his efforts, the uprising was not successful, and Mao's forces had to accept defeat and retreat to the Jinggang Mountains.

The civil war between GMD, supporting the Republic of China, and the CCP began due to an ideological battle for sovereignty over China.

Jiang Jieshi is elected as the chairman of the National government of China, which is quickly recognized by most foreign powers.

Yang Kaihui, Mao Zedong’s second wife, is tortured and executed by a pro-Nationalist warlord in Changsha for refusing to renounce her husband, Mao Zedong.

The Long March, a military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China in 1934-1935, played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War.

Mao Zedong’s First Red Army breaks out of the Nationalist encirclement at Jiangxi and heads west, marking the beginning of the Long March.

The Zunyi Conference leads to a transferral of power within the CCP, with command of the First Red Army passing to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.

On May 29th, 1936, the Red Army successfully seizes control of the Luding Bridge, a crucial river crossing in Sichuan province.

From December 12-25th, 1936, the Xi’an incident occurs where Jiang Jieshi is abducted by Zhang Xueliang and coerced into an anti-Japanese military alliance with the CCP.

A brief alliance between the GMD and CCP to resist the Japanese invasion, with GMD focusing its military power on Japan instead of restraining the communists.

The KMT agreed to form a United Front with the communists against Japan, which had salutary effects for the beleaguered CCP.

The invasion of China by Japan, which had significant impact on the Chinese Civil War and the overall history of China.

Japanese forces occupying Nanjing engage in weeks of systematic violence, rape and murder, leading to a disputed death toll estimated between 50,000 and 300,000, mostly civilians.

Japanese forces capture Wuhan, a significant event in the Chinese Civil War.

On August 20th, the CCP and Red Army launched the Hundred Regiments Offensive, a major campaign against the Japanese, which lasted almost four months and was mostly successful.

The first members of the US Dixie Mission arrive in Yan’an, marking the beginning of the American effort to establish communication and cooperation with the CCP.

On August 14th, 1945, Jiang Jieshi’s Nationalist government signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance with the USSR, marking a significant diplomatic development in the context of the Chinese Civil War.

On August 28th, 1945, Mao Zedong arrived in Chongqing for a series of peace talks with Jiang Jieshi, organized by the Americans, in an attempt to negotiate a resolution to the Chinese Civil War.

Chongqing negotiations were a series of negotiations between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that took place from 29 August to 10 October 1945. The negotiations aimed to address the power struggle and establish a unified government in China.

After Japan's surrender, Taiwan and Penghu Islands were transferred from Japanese administration to China.

General George C. Marshall of the US Army arrived in China with the task of negotiating a ceasefire and organizing a coalition government. Simultaneously, the United States was increasing military supplies to the Nationalist army.

General Marshall announced a ceasefire between the Nationalists and the CCP, set to come into effect on January 13th.

General Marshall announces a ceasefire between the Nationalists and the CCP, to be effective on January 13th.

The truce fell apart in June 1946 when full-scale war between CCP and KMT forces broke out, leading China into a state of civil war that lasted more than three years.

On December 25, 1946, the National Assembly in China adopted a new constitution, which combined features of both presidential and parliamentary systems with Sun Yat-sen’s Five-Power Constitutional democracy. The constitution was to be put into effect on December 25, 1947.

Nationalist troops brutally kill 10,000-20,000 dissidents and protesters in Taiwan, an event known as the '228 Massacre'.

Nationalist troops carry out the '228 Massacre', where 10,000-20,000 dissidents and protesters are killed in Taiwan.

The PLA initiates the Liaoshen campaign, aiming to drive the Nationalists out of northern China.

Jinan was the first major urban center to be captured by the communists during the Chinese Civil War, marking a significant turning point in the conflict.

The Liaoshen campaign concludes with the Communist forces gaining control over Manchuria.

A series of decisive battles took place, resulting in a significant defeat for the KMT and a turning point in the Chinese Civil War.

The CCP successfully captures Nanjing, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese Civil War and the end of Nationalist dominance in China. This event further solidified the CCP's control over areas north of the Yangtse River.

Nanjing fell to Communist control with minimal resistance, marking a significant shift in power during the Chinese Civil War.

After winning the civil war, Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949. This marked the establishment of the CCP's rule over mainland China.

On October 25, 1949, the Battle of Kuningtou took place on Kinmen Island between the ROC armed forces and the CCP. The ROC forces emerged victorious, securing the northwestern coast of the island.

Jiang, the leader of the Nationalist government, fled to Taiwan as the GMD government retreated, signifying the end of the war.

Chiang Kai-shek declared Taipei as the temporary capital of the Republic of China after the Communists took control of mainland China.

By late 1951, the CCP controlled the entire mainland of China, excluding Kinmen and Matsu Islands, marking a pivotal moment in the Chinese Civil War.