Question 9 • HVA 26-27 IM Contemporary World Problems A
Answer:
The Chinese Civil War was fought mainly between the Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-shek, and the Communists, led by Mao Zedong. The two sides had previously fought before temporarily joining forces against Japan during World War II. After Japan’s defeat in 1945, their conflict resumed, and the Communists gained control of most of China. In 1949, Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic of China. Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, leaving the mainland and Taiwan under separate governments and creating a division that has continued to shape relations across the Taiwan Strait.