Chiang Kai-Shek Biography and Timeline — Page 6

US Military Assistance Advisory Group

The United States announces plans to establish a Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan to strengthen Nationalist defense capabilities.

Role range: 1950-1975

San Francisco Peace Treaty Exclusion

The San Francisco Peace Treaty is signed without Republic of China participation, creating new diplomatic challenges for Chiang’s government.

Role range: 1950-1975

Land Reform Program

Advances land reform policies intended to reduce tenant burdens, broaden land ownership and strengthen the rural economy in Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Military Affairs Conference

Presides over the first major military affairs conference of his restored presidency in Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Treaty of Taipei

The Republic of China and Japan sign the Treaty of Taipei, formally ending the state of war between them.

Role range: 1950-1975

Diplomatic Relations with Japan

The Republic of China and Japan establish embassies following the Treaty of Taipei.

Role range: 1950-1975

China Youth Anti-Communist National Salvation Corps

Becomes chairman of the newly established China Youth Anti-Communist National Salvation Corps.

Four-Year Economic Development Plan

The Executive Yuan announces the first Four-Year Economic Development Plan, beginning a sustained program of state-directed economic development.

Role range: 1950-1975

Land-to-the-Tiller Act

Promulgates the Land-to-the-Tiller Act, transferring farmland from large landowners to tenant farmers under compensated reform.

Role range: 1950-1975

Xiluo Bridge Opening

Attends the opening of Xiluo Bridge, a major infrastructure project completed with substantial American assistance.

Role range: 1950-1975

Strait Neutralization Policy

The United States ends its policy of neutralizing the Taiwan Strait, allowing Chiang’s forces greater freedom of action against the mainland.

Role range: 1950-1975

Second Presidential Term

Is re-elected President for a second constitutional term, with Chen Cheng serving as Vice President.

Role range: 1950-1975

Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty

The Republic of China and United States sign the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, formalizing American security commitments to Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Bombing of Tachen Islands

Communist attacks on Nationalist-held offshore islands intensify pressure that leads to the evacuation of the Dachen Islands.

Role range: 1950-1975

Capture of Yikiang

Communist forces capture Yijiangshan Island during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis.

Role range: 1950-1975

Formosa Resolution

US President Dwight Eisenhower signs the Formosa Resolution authorizing protection of Taiwan and the Penghu islands during the Taiwan Strait crisis.

Role range: 1950-1975

Alliance United States and Taiwan

US Admiral Arthur Radford visits Taiwan amid American efforts to deter further Communist attacks in the Taiwan Strait.

Role range: 1950-1975

Sun Li-jen House Arrest

General Sun Li-jen is placed under house arrest after a conspiracy investigation involving one of his subordinates, reflecting the authoritarian security system.

Role range: 1950-1975

Central Cross-Island Highway Construction

Construction begins on the Central Cross-Island Highway, a major infrastructure project linking eastern and western Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Eighth Kuomintang National Congress

The Eighth Kuomintang National Congress retains Chiang as Director-General, reinforcing his control of the ruling party during Taiwan’s early Cold War period.

Second Taiwan Strait Crisis

Communist artillery begins intensive shelling of Kinmen, opening the major phase of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.

Role range: 1950-1975

Dulles Joint Communique

Issues a joint communiqué with US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles emphasizing political principles rather than force as the principal means of mainland recovery.

Role range: 1950-1975

Local Self-Government Expansion

Oversees expansion of local electoral institutions in Taiwan, including directly elected local representatives, magistrates and city mayors.

Role range: 1950-1975

Temporary Provisions Amendment

The National Assembly amends the Temporary Provisions so the incumbent President and Vice President may seek additional terms.

Role range: 1950-1975

Third Presidential Term

Is elected President for a third term after constitutional emergency provisions are amended.

Role range: 1950-1975

Central Cross-Island Highway Opens

The Central Cross-Island Highway opens to traffic, completing one of Taiwan’s most ambitious infrastructure projects of the period.

Role range: 1950-1975

Eisenhower Visit

Welcomes US President Dwight Eisenhower to Taiwan and issues a joint communiqué affirming opposition to Communist expansion.

Role range: 1950-1975

Lei Chen Case Meeting

Calls a meeting to discuss the case of Lei Chen and the Free China journal amid a wider crackdown on political dissent.

Role range: 1950-1975

Lemnitzer Military Talks

Meets US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Lyman Lemnitzer to discuss military cooperation and security in the Taiwan Strait.

Role range: 1950-1975

USAID Aid Talks

Receives USAID administrator Fowler Hamilton for discussions on American economic assistance and development policy.

Role range: 1950-1975

African Agricultural Cooperation

Taiwan begins agricultural and economic cooperation programs with eleven African countries as part of the government’s diplomatic strategy.

Role range: 1950-1975

Ninth Kuomintang National Congress

The Ninth Kuomintang National Congress renews his party leadership as Taiwan balances economic development with continuing security confrontation across the strait.

US Economic Aid Announced

The US State Department announces that regular American economic aid to Taiwan will end in 1965 as the island’s economy strengthens.

Role range: 1950-1975

Peng Ming-min Arrest

Authorities arrest Peng Ming-min and associates after they prepare a declaration advocating political reform and Taiwanese self-determination.

Role range: 1950-1975

Nguyen Cao Ky Visit

Meets South Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky and discusses cooperation between the Republic of China and South Vietnam.

Role range: 1950-1975

Humphrey Visit

Receives US Vice President Hubert Humphrey during his visit to Taiwan.

Role range: 1950-1975

Emergency Powers Expansion

The National Assembly expands the Temporary Provisions, allowing the President to establish a body for policies concerning suppression of Communist rebellion.

Role range: 1950-1975

Fourth Presidential Term

Wins another presidential term after emergency constitutional provisions are expanded, continuing in office with Yen Chia-kan as Vice President.

Role range: 1950-1975

Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movement

Promotes the Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movement in Taiwan as an ideological and cultural response to the Cultural Revolution on the mainland.

Role range: 1950-1975

National Security Council Established

Abolishes the National Defense Council and establishes the National Security Council during the Period of Communist Rebellion.

Role range: 1950-1975