At the time, many observers hoped that the end of the fighting and the Chinese Nationalist decision to establish a separate government on Taiwan might make it easier for foreign governments to recognize the new communist People's Republic of China. For the United States, however, the action merely posed a troubling diplomatic problem. Many in America, including members of the so-called "China Lobby" (individuals and groups from both public and private life who tenaciously supported the Chinese Nationalist cause), called upon the administration of President Harry S. Truman to continue its support of Chiang's government by withholding recognition of the communist government on the mainland. In fact, the Truman administration's recognition of the Nationalist government on Taiwan infuriated Mao, ending any possibility for diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. In the years after 1949, the United States continued its support of Taiwan, and Mao's government continued to rail against the Nationalist regime off its coast. By the 1970s, however, U.S. policymakers, desirous of opening economic relations with China and hoping to use China as a balance against Soviet power, moved toward a closer relationship with communist China. In 1979, the United States officially recognized the People's Republic of China.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- John Lennon shot, 1980
- American Revolution
- Americans begin siege of Quebec, 1775
- Automotive
- Auto-factory architect Albert Kahn dies, 1942
- Civil War
- Lincoln issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, 1863
- Cold War
- Chinese Nationalists move capital to Taiwan, 1949
- Crime
- John Lennon is murdered, 1980
- Disaster
- Theater fire kills hundreds in Vienna, 1881
- General Interest
- Mary Queen of Scots born, 1542
- NAFTA signed into law, 1993
- Hollywood
- Meryl Streep stars in Sophie’s Choice, 1982
- Literary
- James Thurber is born, 1894
- Music
- John Lennon is assassinated in New York City, 1980
- Old West
- Jeanette Rankin casts sole vote against WWII, 1941
- Presidential
- Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan, 1941
- Sports
- Bears beat Redskins 73-0 in NFL Championship game, 1940
- Vietnam War
- Operation Tiger Hound launched, 1965
- North Vietnam rejects Johnson's prisoner exchange proposal, 1966
- Nixon declares Vietnam War is ending, 1969
- World War I
- The Battle of the Falkland Islands, 1914
- World War II
- The United States declares war on Japan, 1941
Dec 8, 1949:
Chinese Nationalists move capital to Taiwan
As they steadily lose ground to the communist forces of Mao Zedong, Chinese Nationalist leaders depart for the island of Taiwan, where they establish their new capital. Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek left for the island the following day. This action marked the beginning of the "two Chinas" scenario that left mainland China under communist control and vexed U.S. diplomacy for the next 30 years. It also signaled the effective end of the long struggle between Chinese Nationalist forces and those of the communist leader Mao Zedong, though scattered Chinese Nationalists continued sporadic combat with the communist armies.
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This Week in History, Dec 8 - Dec 14
- Dec 08, 1949
- Chinese Nationalists move capital to Taiwan
- Dec 09, 1950
- Harry Gold sent to prison for his role in atomic espionage
- Dec 10, 1977
- Soviets arrest dissidents on United Nations Human Rights Day
- Dec 11, 1969
- Soviets declare nudity a sign of "western decadence"
- Dec 12, 1987
- Shultz calls on European allies to increase defense spending
- Dec 13, 1951
- John S. Service dismissed from State Department
- Dec 14, 1980
- CIA issues warning about Soviet arms sales to Third World nations
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