The Republic of China 1911-1949

1911: Republican Revolution overthrew Qing Dynasty. 1912: Yuan Shikai became president and later dictator. 1916-1927: Warlord Period. 1927: Nationalists turned on Communists after defeating warlords.

1934: Communists went on Long March. 1931-1945: Japanese invasion. 1945: Communists and Nationalists battled for control of China. 1949: Nationalists fled to Taiwan. Communists were victorious and proclaimed the People’s Republic of China.

Sun Yatsen Leader of Republican Revolution of 1911 Rallied supporters with his “Three Principles of the People” Nationalism Democracy Livelihood

Yuan Shikai Manchu general Joined revolution instead of crushing it Became China’s first president in 1912 Disbanded government and ruled as a dictator Tried to become emperor Died in 1916, throwing China into chaos

Warlord Period 1916 to 1927 China dominated by different regional military leaders Nationalist and Communist Parties grow in strength

Nationalist Party Kuomintang (KMT) Party Founded by Sun Yatsen Later led by Chiang Kai-shek Gained control of China in 1927 with support of Communists

Communist Party Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Grew out of May 4th Movement (1919) Founded in 1921 Later led by Mao Zedong

Nationalists vs. Communists After working together to defeat warlords, Nationalists turned on the Communists in 1927 Communists were forced on the Long March in 1934 Mao Zedong emerged as Communist leader

The Long March

Japanese Invasion (1931-1945) 1931: Japan invaded Manchuria and established Manchuko with Pu Yi as the puppet emperor 1937: Japan launched major invasion and occupied Shanghai and Nanking

Rape of Nanking After a bloody battle to take Shanghai, the Japanese moved on Nanking Nanking fell with little resistance due to poor Chinese military leadership

Massacre occurred over a six week period starting on December 14, 1937 300,000 estimated deaths Over 10 million Chinese died during WWII