Chiang Kai-Shek's Significant Role In Modern Chinese History

Chiang Kai-shek, as an unprecedented Nationalist leader, also as a great politician and strategist, played a significant role in modern Chinese history. His unshakable position, strategic plan and frequent diplomacy helped China survived on this unparalleled crisis.
The 19th century of China opened with a broad reform of institutions, particularly in the military system. As a result, the revolution occurs and “followed by the breakup of China as the leaders of autonomous armies fought for power” (Dreyer 1). Kuomintang Party stood against the Communist Party and waged a massive civil war mainly in Northeast part of China, “ending only with the victory of communists on the mainland in 1949” (Dreyer 1). In the middle of the civil war, the aggression of the Japanese dragged China into the tragedy of the Second World War.
Chiang Kai-Shek, as a generalissimo, is also the head of Kuomintang Party and ruler of Nationalist
Among these, the Communists Party is one of Chiang’s biggest concerns. In order for him to focus his Central Army on suppressing Mao and his Communist Party, “Chiang surrendered sovereignty and territories including Manchuria, Jehol province and sections of Chahar and Hubei province” (Crouch n.pg.) to the Japanese, ordered that “avoid any kind of incident which might provoke the Japanese” (Crossland 11), after the Mukden Incidents in 1930s. Because of Chiang insists of battling with the Communists, he “was kidnapped by Marshal Chang” (Steyn 45), “his own subordinates” (Crossland 11), “who wanted him to quit battling the Communists and take on the Japanese” (Steyn 45). Chiang was “held prisoner until he agreed to an alliance of all Chinese political factions against the Japanese” (Crossland