Chinese Civil War Timeline

Establishment of the Kuomintang

Nov 24, 1894

The GMD was formed in this year. The GMD were Chinese nationalists. This faction would later clash with the CCP during the Chinese Civil War.

May 4th Movement

May 4, 1919

This was an anti-Chinese government rally. These demonstrations were aimed at China for failing to respond adequately to the Treaty of Versailles, notably by allowing Japan to annex some Chinese territory. These protests signaled an upsurge in Chinese nationalism.

Establishment of the CCP

Jul 23, 1921

The Chinese Communist Party was founded on this date. During the Civil War, this group fought against the KMT Nationalists. This party is still the ruling party in China today.

Shanghai Massacre

GMD military troops violently suppressed communists in Shanghai, eventually leading to a full-scale crackdown. This would exacerbate tensions between the two opposing ideological factions.

Apr 12, 1927

Civil War Begins

A conflict between the KMT, which supports the Republic of China, and the CCP. It began as an ideological fight when both parties desired to be China's autonomous government.

Aug 1, 1927

Chiang Takes Control of Beijing

Following the Northern Expedition, Chiang claims supreme rule of China, but there is no clear winner of the war at this time.

Jul 1, 1928

Attack on Shanghai by the Japanese

It was also known as the Shanghai incident, and it was a fight between China and Japan before the actual war began in 1937. It ended in a ceasefire, but tensions remained, leading to the Sino-Japanese War.

Jan 28, 1932

Fifth Encirclement Campaign

A series of fights between Nationalists and Communists. The GMD defeated the Soviet-backed communists, culminating in a resounding Nationalist triumph.

Sep 25, 1933

Long March Begins

The CCP's military withdrawal following their defeat during the Fifth Encirclement Campaign, in which the Red Army sought to evacuate from the south to the north and west. This is significant because it marked the beginning of Mao Zedong's ascent to power as he commanded the troops.

Oct 16, 1934

Establishment of the Second United Front

This was a temporary partnership between the GMD and the CCP to oppose the Japanese invasion, during which the GMD abandoned its efforts to contain the communists in order to concentrate its military force on Japan.

Dec 20, 1936

The CCP and the KMT have reached an agreement

Although no tangible results were achieved, full-scale clashes and campaigns were averted during the sessions. The deal was struck, but it would not be kept.

Jan 1, 1946

Full-Fledged War Between the CCP and the KMT

Following the USSR's departure from Manchuria, both the KMT and the CCP quickly began the required steps to reclaim major areas of the countryside. They also used draconian tactics to gather as many resources as possible in anticipation for the second phase of the conflict.

Jun 26, 1946

Mao Land Reforms

Mao implemented arduous land reforms in order to secure peasant solidarity, making him the favored option in the countryside and giving him with the manpower and resources needed to combat the KMT.

Oct 1, 1947

China Aid Act

The US provided the Chinese government $400 million in aid, 125 million of which would be for military assistance, all in order to keep KMT power over the communist party.

Jul 3, 1948

Huaihai Campaign Begins

A pivotal combat of the Chinese Civil War, fought in three phases over three months in Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Henan.

Nov 6, 1948

KMT loses Huaihai Battle

Jan 10, 1949

With the CCP's capture of provinces north of the Yangtze River, this was one of three campaigns that signalled the end of Nationalist control in China.

CCP Captures Nanjing

Because Nanjing was the Nationalist government's capital, this signalled the end of GMD control in China. This prompted the GMD administration to withdraw, implying that the conflict was concluded.

Apr 21, 1949

Establishment of the People's Republic of China

Mao Zedong has become the CCP's leader and declares Beijing the capital of the People's Republic of China. The PRC is still the Chinese government today.

Oct 1, 1949

Chiang Flees to Taiwan

Chiang, along with two million Nationalists, seeks to flee to Taiwan, thereby eliminating the KMT's chances of restoring control of China. As a result, the CCP became the nation's new government.

Dec 1, 1949