Rise of Communism in China

VS Chaing Kai Sheck – Leader of the Goumindang (Nationalists) Mao Zedgong – Leader of the Communists

Long March Communists were almost destroyed by the Goumindang. Communists were forced to retreat to Yan’an. This is remembered as the Long March.

Second Sino Japanese War March into Nanjing December 9, 1937 Japanese Imperial Army invaded China. This forced the Goumindang to divert its attention to fighting the Japanese. However, the Japanese modernization and militarization proved to be far more superior than the Chinese forces

Mao and Chiang During WWII, the Nationalists and Communists put aside their difference and worked together to fight their common enemy, Imperial Japan

End of WWII To end the War U.S. dropped two Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito, ended the war. General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito

People’s Republic of China Mao and his communists forces were able to defeat the Nationalists. In 1949, Communists established the People’s Republic of China. (PRC) Mao Zedong became the first chairman (leader) of the Communist Party.

Reasons for the Communists’ Success Mao won support of peasants and women Mao’s army used guerilla war tactics Many saw the Nationalist government as corrupt Many felt that the Nationalists allowed foreigners to dominate China. Gained support from North Koreans 50,000 to 70,000 Korean veterans

Republic of China Chiang Kai Shek and the Goumindang were defeated. They fled PRC and established its own government in what is today known as Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC) Chiang became the President/Dictator of the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975. Taiwan still has a close relationship with the U.S. and the western nations. Geographical and economic purposes Taiwan serves as an important nation for the U.S. ROC and the PRC throughout history argued that they were the legitimate heirs to China, causing much political tension internationally However, recently their relationships have improved. Taiwan has been more open to international businesses and creating relationship with PRC.

The Korean War First Proxy War

Questions What were the causes of the Korean War? What were the consequences of the war? In you opinion was the war worth it?

Korean War [1950-1953] Kim Il-Sung Syngman Rhee “Domino Theory”- one country falling after another under Communism

The Shifting Map of Korea [1950-1953] 38th parallel – armistice/truce DMZ “Demilitarized Zone”

Truman and MacArthur

Korean War [1950-1953] BUT Technically… Not over

The Kim Family Kim Jong Il Kim Jong Un

DMZ

DMZ

Every year there are incidences where North and South exchanges fire Danger of North Korea’s open hostility towards Korea and Japan Danger of possession nuclear capabilities

Questions What were the causes of the Korean War? What were the consequences of the war? In you opinion was the war worth it?

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it?