China Becomes Communist For two decades, the Chinese Communist party struggled against the nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-Shek (Madam Chiang Kai-Shek attended Lauralton for a short time) Communists led by Mao Zedong Prior to 1931, Nationalists had almost defeated the Communists in China The Long March 5, 2015 After 1945, Communist party makes a comeback after helping to defeat Japan October 1, 1949 ? Communists take control of China Chiang Kai-Shek and the Nationalists flee to Taiwan The US recognizes Taiwan as China in international affairs after the Communists take over (US, GB, France, Soviet Union, and Taiwan are the UN leaders) Korea ? The Cold War Beyond Europe Timeline: 1945 ? Korea is controlled by Japan Soviets occupied the North, America the South