Chiang Kai-Shek Biography and Timeline

Birth of Chiang Kai-Shek to a prosperous rural family Chekiang

Birth of Chiang Kai-Shek to a prosperous rural family Chekiang

Tung-meng-hui

Joins Sun Yat-sen’s Tongmenghui while studying at the Tokyo Shinbu Military Academy in Japan.

Rebellion of Rebels in Chekiang

Participates in revolutionary action in Zhejiang during the 1911 Revolution.

Chinese Revolutionary Party Pledge

Pledges support for Sun Yat-sen’s developing Chinese Revolutionary Party while opposing Yuan Shikai after the failed Second Revolution.

Exile of Chiang Kai-Shek

Goes to Japan after the failure of the 1913 Second Revolution against Yuan Shikai.

Rebellion of Chiang Kai-Shek

Takes part in the 1913 Second Revolution opposing Yuan Shikai’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

Opposition to Yuan Monarchy

Supports the revolutionary opposition to Yuan Shikai after Yuan announces plans to restore monarchy under his own rule.

Revolution of China

Returns to revolutionary activity as opposition to Yuan Shikai’s attempted monarchy succeeds and the monarchy collapses.

Green Gang

Works within Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary movement during the renewed struggle against Yuan Shikai.

Chief of Staff

Serves in military staff roles under Chen Jiongming during Sun Yat-sen’s southern revolutionary government.

Yongfeng Crisis

Travels to Guangdong to assist Sun Yat-sen after Chen Jiongming’s revolt forces Sun onto the gunboat Yongfeng.

Kuomingtang

Works within the Kuomintang movement as Sun Yat-sen reorganizes the Nationalist Party.

Constitution of China

The Kuomintang’s First National Congress adopts cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party and Soviet advisers.

Whampoa

Helps establish the Whampoa Military Academy and serves as its first commandant.

Whampoa

Serves as commandant of the Whampoa Military Academy, which opens on 16 June 1924.

General

Emerges as a leading National Revolutionary Army commander after Sun Yat-sen’s death and the Eastern Expeditions.

Congress of Kuomingtang

The Second National Congress of the Kuomintang meets as Chiang’s military influence within the party is growing.

Northern Expedition

Launches the Northern Expedition as commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army.

Role range: 1926-1949

Commander in Chief of National Revolutionary Army

Is appointed commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army as the Northern Expedition begins.

Northern Expedition

Commands the Northern Expedition beginning in July 1926 as National Revolutionary Army forces advance against the warlords.

Role range: 1926-1949

Capture of Hankow

Nationalist forces take Hankou during the Northern Expedition, strengthening Chiang’s military campaign in central China.

Role range: 1926-1949

Capture of Wuchang

Nationalist forces capture Wuchang during the Northern Expedition and consolidate control around Wuhan.

Role range: 1926-1949

Kuomingtang

The Kuomintang prepares the Northern Expedition to defeat major warlord regimes and extend Nationalist authority.

Coup

Uses his growing military authority to strengthen Nationalist control in Guangzhou before the Northern Expedition.

National Government

National Revolutionary Army victories at Hankou and Wuchang strengthen the Nationalist position during the Northern Expedition.

Role range: 1926-1949

National Government

Commands the National Revolutionary Army as the Northern Expedition advances north from Guangdong.

Role range: 1926-1949

National Government

The Nationalist movement shifts its political center toward Wuhan as the Northern Expedition advances.

Role range: 1926-1949

Northern Expedition

The Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party remain formally allied during the early Northern Expedition against warlords.

Role range: 1926-1949

Constitution of China

The Nationalist political center develops at Wuhan during the early 1927 phase of the Northern Expedition.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1927-1928

Capture of Shanghai

National Revolutionary Army forces enter Shanghai after a workers’ uprising has weakened warlord control.

Role range: 1926-1949

Provisional Government

Presses the Shanghai provisional authorities to accept Nationalist control as the Northern Expedition reaches the city.

Capture of Shanghai

Shanghai & Nanjing are captured during the Northern Expedition

Role range: 1926-1949

Alliance Chiang Kai-Shek and cooperation with Chiang shortly

Soviet policy continues to support cooperation with Chiang shortly before the Nationalist-Communist split becomes open.

Role range: 1926-1949

Massacre

Nationalist forces and allied groups carry out a violent purge of Communists and labor activists in Shanghai.

Role range: 1926-1949

Rebellion of Rebels in Shanghai

Nationalist troops enter labor districts in Shanghai as Chiang’s purge of Communist and union organizations begins.

Role range: 1926-1949

Coup

Establishes a rival Nationalist government at Nanjing after breaking with the Communist and left-wing factions.

Constitution of China

The Kuomintang splits between the Wuhan left and Chiang’s Nanjing faction during the breakdown of the First United Front.

Role range: 1926-1949

Capture of Nanchang

Nationalist forces retake Nanchang after the Communist-led uprising withdraws from the city.

Role range: 1926-1949

Resignation of Chiang Kai-Shek

Resigns his Nationalist military and government posts amid internal Kuomintang opposition.

Role range: 1926-1949

Resignation of Chiang Kai-Shek

Steps aside from command as rival Kuomintang factions seek reconciliation after the 1927 split.

Role range: 1926-1949