Chinese Civil War (1927-1950): Background, Key Phases and consequences
The Chinese Civil War had its roots in the broader political and social upheaval that plagued China in the early 20th century. The collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen marked the end of imperial rule but did not bring stability. 2. Major Factions:Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT): Led by Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi), the KMT aimed to unify China under a single, nationalist government. Chinese Communist Party (CCP): Led by Mao Zedong, the CCP sought to establish a communist state in China. 3. Key Phases:First United Front (1927-1928): Initially, the KMT and CCP formed an alliance against warlords and foreign imperialism. However, the alliance quickly deteriorated, leading to the Shanghai Massacre of 1927, in which KMT forces purged communists from their ranks. The Long March (1934-1935): After a series of setbacks, the CCP embarked on the Long March, a grueling retreat to evade KMT forces. This eve