COMMUNISTS AND NATIONALISTS
The Republic of China is increasingly politically split between the Kuomintang (KMT) Nationalist government, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), regional warlords and the original republican Beiyang Government. However, the KMT and CCP initially cooperate with the assistance of the Soviet Union in an attempt to unify the country.
1920s 9 July 1926-29 December 1928
NORTHERN EXPEDITION
KMT Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek leads a military expedition against the Beiyang Government and warlords in order to unify China. The KMT takes control of the whole country, with Chiang proclaiming his aim to “build an independent, free nation”.
12 April 1927
SHANGHAI MASSACRE
Chiang Kai-shek and conservatives within the KMT conduct a violent suppression of CCP organisations in Shanghai. Thousands of Communists are killed and cooperation between the CCP and KMT ends. The Chinese Civil War begins when the CCP launches several uprisings to regain power.