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In early 1900´s China was getting ready for revolution. For years, foreign countries have controlled China´s trade and economic resources. The Chinese population divided into two groups; the ones who wanted modernize and change and the ones who wanted to maintain the traditional ways.
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Kuomintang, the Nationalist Party, leaded by Sun Yixian succeeded in overthorowing the Qing Dynasty. Nationalist government was based on the "Three Principles of the People": end of foreign control (nationalism), democracy and economic security for all Chinese.
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A national protests in which people demostrated against the Treaty of Versailles and foreign interference.
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A small group of communists met to discuss Marx´s revolutionary beliefs.
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In 1921 the Chinese Communist Party was from. Mao Zedong was one of its founders. Meanwhile, nationalists set up a government in south China. Later then, in 1923, Lenin helped both groups in China so they´ll work together.
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After nationalist leader, Sun Yixian, dies in 1925, Jiang Jieshi takes control.
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Jiang Jieshi decided to put aside differences with Communists, and together fought the warlords.
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Nationalist troops attack the Communist Party, eliminating almost all them. That same year, Jiang Jieshi became president of the Nationalist Republic of China, recognized by other countries except the Soviet Union. Due to corruption and a less democratic government, peasants join the Communist Party.
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Nationalists and Communists fought a bloody civil war.
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Taking advantage of the civil war in China, Japan invaded their country in 1937. They caused big massacres with bombing and the destruction of farms, which led to starvation. By 1938, Japan held control over a wide part of China.
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After Nationalist party defeated their rival, Communists in 1934 began a journey called The Long March. Meanwhile, Japan had invaded China.
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Japan´s occupation armies destroyed China´s major cities. Millions of citizens were murdered.
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United States sent the Nationalist army around $1.5 billion in aid to help them fight Japanese.
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Instead of benefiting the army from USA´s aid, Nationalists corrupt officers used this money for different purposes. Actually, Jiang´s army fought few battles against Japanese and saved strength to battle Mao´s Red Army.
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Nationalist had a lot of advantage compared to their opponent: their army outnumbered Communists´ and United States provided them $2 billion in more aid.
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Although Nationalists started with advantage, they were not popular in China, economy collapsed and their own soldiers abandoned them and helped Communists.
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Although Mao´s troops were well trained for warfare, the idea of returning land to peasants, inspired them to defeat Nationalists army.
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Communists leader gained control of China and named it People´s Republic of China.
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After Mao gained power over all China, Jiang and Nationalist leaders go back to Taiwan, which was called Formosa by westerners.
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Anti-Communist feelings in United States grew after the Chinese and Soviets signed a treaty of friendship. They viewed the take over of China as a great option for coquering the world.
