Chiang Kai-Shek Biography and Timeline — Page 5

Constitution Adopted

The National Assembly adopts the Constitution of the Republic of China after prolonged political negotiations.

Role range: 1943-1948

Recognition of Mongolia

The Republic of China recognizes Mongolian independence after the 1945 referendum required under the Sino-Soviet arrangements.

Role range: 1928-1949 – 1943-1949

Constitution Promulgated

Promulgates the new Constitution of the Republic of China, which is scheduled to take effect later in the year.

Role range: 1943-1948

Peace Mediation

The Marshall Mission ends as American mediation fails to reconcile the Nationalists and Communists.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Siege of Yanan

Nationalist forces capture Yan’an, the principal Communist base, though Communist field forces avoid decisive destruction.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

February 28 Reinforcements

Orders Nationalist troops to Taiwan during the February 28 crisis; subsequent repression causes extensive civilian deaths and arrests.

Role range: 1943-1948

Siege of Shaanxi

Nationalist forces launch a major offensive into Communist-held Shaanxi during renewed civil war.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Election

National Assembly elections begin under the new constitutional framework; the Communist Party does not participate.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Constitution Takes Effect

The Constitution of the Republic of China takes effect, formally ending the Nationalist period of political tutelage.

Role range: 1943-1948

Presidential Election

The National Assembly elects Chiang Kai-shek as the first President under the new Constitution.

Role range: 1948-1949

Siege of Yanan

Communist forces reoccupy Yan’an after Nationalist troops withdraw from the area.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Temporary Provisions Promulgated

Promulgates the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion, expanding emergency presidential powers during the civil war.

Role range: 1948-1949

Presidential Inauguration

Takes office as the first constitutional President of the Republic of China.

Role range: 1948-1949

Gold Yuan Reform

The government replaces the failing fabi currency with the gold yuan in an unsuccessful effort to control wartime inflation.

Role range: 1948-1949

Battle of Huai-Hai

The Huaihai Campaign begins; catastrophic Nationalist defeats during the campaign destroy major armies and accelerate the collapse of Chiang’s mainland position.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Pingjin Campaign

Nationalist forces suffer mounting pressure in the Pingjin Campaign as Communist armies isolate major cities across northern China.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1948-1949

Emergency Martial Law

Declares emergency martial-law measures as Communist military victories intensify the Nationalist government’s crisis.

Role range: 1948-1949

Chen Cheng Appointment

Appoints Chen Cheng as Governor of Taiwan Province while preparing the island as an increasingly important Nationalist base.

Role range: 1948-1949

Chiang Ching-kuo Taiwan Party Appointment

Places Chiang Ching-kuo in charge of the Kuomintang organization in Taiwan Province as the party prepares for possible retreat from the mainland.

Gold Reserves Transfer

Orders Central Bank gold reserves transferred toward Taiwan as the Nationalist government prepares for possible loss of the mainland.

Presidential Resignation

Announces his resignation as President after severe Nationalist defeats, while retaining leadership of the Kuomintang.

Role range: 1948-1949

Capture of Beijing

Communist forces enter Beiping after the Nationalist garrison accepts a negotiated surrender.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Capture of River Yangtze

Communist forces cross the Yangtze River after peace negotiations fail, opening the final drive into Nationalist-held southern China.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

KMT Government Liaison

Acts as liaison between the Kuomintang and government while continuing to influence Nationalist strategy after leaving the presidency.

Capture of Nanjing

Communist forces capture Nanjing, ending Nationalist control of the former capital.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Siege of Shanghai

Communist forces begin the final campaign for Shanghai, one of the last major Nationalist strongholds on the mainland coast.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Capture of Shanghai

Communist forces capture Shanghai after heavy fighting, removing the Nationalists from China’s largest city.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Alliance United States and Nationalist China

The United States publishes its China White Paper amid declining confidence in the Nationalist mainland war effort.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Declaration of Republic

Mao Zedong proclaims the People’s Republic of China in Beijing while Chiang’s Nationalist government continues retreating south.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Battle of Kuningtou

Nationalist forces defeat a Communist landing attempt at Kuningtou on Kinmen, preserving ROC control of the offshore island.

Exile of Chiang Kai-Shek

The Republic of China central government relocates to Taipei as Communist victory on the mainland becomes irreversible.

Role range: 1950-1975

Exile of Chiang Kai-Shek

Leaves Chengdu for Taipei as the Nationalist government completes its relocation to Taiwan.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Kuomintang Leadership

Remains leader of the Kuomintang and continues directing Nationalist strategy after stepping down from the presidency.

Role range: 1949-1975

Capital

The Nationalist government relocates from Nanjing to Guangzhou as Communist forces advance southward.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Capital

The Nationalist government shifts its remaining mainland headquarters from Chongqing to Chengdu late in the civil war.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

Capital

The Nationalist government moves from Guangzhou to Chongqing as Communist forces capture more of southern China.

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1943-1949

National Government

Resumes the presidency of the Republic of China in Taipei.

Role range: 1950-1975

Seventh Fleet in Taiwan Strait

The United States sends the Seventh Fleet into the Taiwan Strait after the Korean War begins, reducing the immediate threat of a Communist invasion of Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Legislative Yuan Tenure Extension

Requests an extension of legislators’ terms because nationwide elections cannot be held while the mainland remains under Communist control.

Role range: 1950-1975

Military Justice Approval Standards

Promulgates standards requiring military court cases to be submitted for presidential review, expanding his direct involvement in military justice.

Role range: 1950-1975