People: Mao Zedong (communist), Chiang Kai-Shek (Nationalist), Lin Biao (head of PLA), General George Marshall (failed ceasefire)

Events: July 1946-May 1947 - GMD offensive suceeded in capturing control of large cities and establishing a GMD controlled 'corridor' along the coast of Manchuria.
- From their rural base, the communists adopted a guerrilla warfare strategy against the GMD.
-The PLA & local communist militia forces were able to isolate the Nationalist's city strongholds by destroying the GMD's city based forces.
- By Spring 1947, the communist's control over Northern Manchuria was unshakable.
May 1947-Nov 1948 - The PLA launched full-scale assaults on GMD positions, but were unsuccessful due to the lack of air force.
- The fighting caused serious losses on GMD forces and reduced troops morale
- The Nationalist forces became trapped in Manchuria.
Dec 1948- Oct 1949 - The Nationalists were defeated in a 65 day battle at the railway junction of Xuzhou.
- Beijing was captured in January, so the whole of Northern China was under Communist control.
- In April, the PLA attacked key cities along the Yangzi river, capturing Nationalist strongholds Nanjing & Shanghai. The way to the south was now open.
- One force of the PLA struck westwards and another from the south. Most of China was now under Communist control.
- Mao called a Political Consultative Conference in Beijing with representatives from 14 other parties. The PRC was formed on 1st October 1949.
- Kai-Shek fled to Taiwan and established a GMD government there.
Causes: Failure of the ceasefire, instability in georgraphical control and difference in political ideology.

	Created by sophiesmith11 about 13 years ago

History Note on China, created by sophiesmith11 on 27/04/2013.