The Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War lead Mao to the Chairmanship of the new People's Republic of China.
The final KMT position at Chengdu fell, and Chiang Kai-Shek fled to Formosa (Taiwan), where he created a Chinese Nationalist government in exile.
< Back to "Mao Gathers Power and Fame"
1942 - Mao Launches "Rectification of Conduct" Campaign (Zheng Feng)
Mao conducted this campaign in order to purge rivals from the leadership of the Communist Party of China.1943 - Mao Becomes Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party
1944 - United States Sends Dixie Mission to Meet Communists
The American delegation was favorably impressed with the Chinese Communists' organization, as contrasted with the disarray in the Nationalist Kuomintang's camps.1945 - Mao Meets With Chiang Kai-Shek and George Marshall on Peace
This summit meeting in Chongqing did not result in a peace agreement between the Communists and Nationalists.1946-49 - Final Phase of the Chinese Civil War
The US decided to throw its support behind the KMT, while using the Communists as a shield against the Japanese and Soviets.Jan. 21, 1949 - KMT Suffers Huge Loss against Red Guard
The 64-day-long Beiping-Tianjin Campaign that ended on January 21 resulted in about 520,000 Kuomintang casualties and/or captured.Oct. 1, 1949 - Mao Proclaims the Founding of the People's Republic of China
Although the Nationalists were not yet completely defeated, they were definitely on the ropes.1949-1953 - Mass Executions of Landlords and Other "Rightists"
Property ownership suddenly became a capital crime. The exact death toll is unknown, but likely exceeded 1 million.Dec. 10, 1949 - Last KMT Stronghold Falls, Chiang Kai-Shek Flees
The final KMT position at Chengdu fell, and Chiang Kai-Shek fled to Formosa (Taiwan), where he created a Chinese Nationalist government in exile.