Chiang Kai-shek

Chiang Kai-shek (Chinese: 蒋介石; Pinyin: Jiǎng Jièshí; 1887-1975) was a Chinese warlord and a key figure of the Kuomintang. He had been the leader of the Republic of China throughout World War II and was the leader of the Nationalists in the Chinese Civil War.

When forced to flee to Taiwan after being defeated by the Communists, he vowed to never leave the island until he has recaptured the Mainland, a promise he upheld by never leaving Taiwan until his death. On the island he established a ruthless, though rapidly modernising dictatorship.

He died in 1975 and was succeeded by his son, Chiang Ching-kuo in 1978. The remainder of his term was served by Yen Chia-kan (Chinese: 嚴家淦; Pinyin: Yán Jiāgàn), his former vice-president.

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Related links

• 2-28 Incident
• Amendments for the Period of Mobilisation of the Suppression of Communist Rebellion
• Cairo Conference
• Central Reform Committee
• Kuomintang
• Three Principles of the People
• White Terror

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References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica (2019). Chiang Kai-shek | Biography & Facts. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chiang-Kai-shek [Accessed 20 Jan. 2023].
2. Phillips, S. (2007). Between Assimilation and Independence: Taiwanese Political Aspirations Under Nationslist Chinese Rule, 1945-1948. In: Taiwan: A New History. Routledge.
3. Ross, J. and Smith, E.M. (2022). Bonus Episode: The Forgotten President 嚴家淦 [Podcast] December 2022. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2DCyE3lZYptFOeTfV3IM8p?si=ece13077da224634 [Accessed 8 Dec. 2022].