Chinese Civil War

The Chinese civil war lasted from April, 1927 to May, 1950. It was between the Chinese Communists and the Republic of China. The communists wanted to be more like the Soviet Union, whom they also had the support from. Many poor people backed them up as well. The nationalists [Republic of China] also known as the Kuomintang wanted to be more like the United States, whom they had support from. Many of the richer people and Chinese who lived in cities supported them. They were also backed by the United Kingdom. The Communists were lead by Mao Zedong, and the Nationalists by Chiang Kai-shek. Over one million people died in the war.

When Japan invaded China during World War 2 the two parties stopped fighting and helped each other defend the country. It wasn't long before they stated fighting again though. In 1949 the Communists finally chased the Nationalists out of the main part of China, the mainland. The Nationalists went to Taiwan and became the leaders there. Mao named China the People's Republic of China and became the leader until 1976 when he died. Both sides still dislike each other but the fighting is over.