Inspired by the events which transpired in Russia in 1917, the communists wanted a China that focused on the proletariat, or working class (1). Nevertheless, the Guomindang were able to seize power in 1919 and Chiang Kai-shek was installed as the new leader of China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was then incorporated into the Guomindang, in order to consolidate power within the country (4).
The inherent ideological differences and political friction between the Guomindang and the CCP began to show during the late 1920's as the Guomindang became increasingly aggravated with CCP uprisings. This aggravation came to a head in 1927 when the Guomindang, under orders from Chiang Kai-shek, put down a rebellion in Shanghai, slaughtering 20,000 workers (most of them loyal to the CCP) in the process (3). This event, above all others, contributed to the civil war, which broke out several years later with Chiang Kai-shek leading the nationalists, and Mao Tse-tung leading the communists. .
Following the Japanese invasion of the Chinese mainland in 1937, however, both Mao and Kai-shek were forced to set aside their differences and, reluctantly, work together to save China from Japanese domination. It was a long and bloody war, but as the tables turned, and Japan began to experience defeat for the first time, it did not take long for the two parties in China to revert to their old ways. The celebration over the defeat of Japan was short-lived as the two parties plunged back into civil war (1). This time, however, Mao Tse-tung gained the upper hand by rallying the support of the people. Untimately, the Guomindang were defeated in 1949 and forced to retreat to Taiwan, where they remain to this day. Thus, The People's Republic of China was born (3). .
The Seeds of Distrust.
The appearance of a new Communist country in the Far East alarmed many western countries, namely the United States (2).
