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The term '''Republic of China''' refers to an era of Chinese history that extended from 1912 until 1949. It was preceded by the [[Qing dynasty]] and followed by the [[People's Republic of China|People's Republic]]. The country was divided among rival warlord cliques in the 1920s, but reunited by the Nationalist Party, or KMT, in 1928. This party had been founded by [[Sun Yat-sen]] and was led by [[Chiang Kai-shek]]. Much of China was occupied by Japan from 1937 until 1945. The Republic was a pivotal era of Chinese history that included modernization of culture and gender roles, economic development, World War II, civil war, and Communist conquest. When the Communists gained control of the mainland in 1949, the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan.

The term '''Republic of China''' refers to an era of Chinese history that extended from 1912 until 1949. It was preceded by the [[Qing dynasty]] and followed by the [[People's Republic of China|People's Republic]]. The country was divided among rival warlord cliques in the 1920s, but reunited by the Nationalist Party, or KMT, in 1928. This party had been founded by [[Sun Yat-sen]] and was led by [[Chiang Kai-shek]]. Much of China was occupied by Japan from 1937 until 1945. The Republic was a pivotal era of Chinese history that included modernization of culture and gender roles, economic development, World War II, civil war, and Communist conquest. When the Communists gained control of the mainland in 1949, the Nationalist government fled to [[Taiwan]].

==History==

==History==

In 1947, the Constitution of the Republic of China replaced the Organic Law of 1928 as the country's fundamental law. In 1948, "Temporary Provisions" were added to the constitution to allow for emergency rule during the period of "communist rebellion."

In 1947, the Constitution of the Republic of China replaced the Organic Law of 1928 as the country's fundamental law. In 1948, "Temporary Provisions" were added to the constitution to allow for emergency rule during the period of "communist rebellion."

Nationalist resistance collapsed in January 1949. Beijing fell without a fight and refugees began fleeing to Taiwan. By the end of the year, 600,000 soldiers and 2 million civilians had fled from the mainland. The government fled from Nanjing to Guangzhou in January. In February, China's gold reserves were transferred to Taiwan. Nanjing fell in April, Shanghai in May. Neither city offered resistance. At Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Communist leader [[Mao Zedong]] proclaimed the People's Republic on October 1, 1949. Guangzhou fell on October 15. On December 10, Chiang flew from Chengdu, the last Nationalist outpost on the mainland, to Taiwan and proclaimed Taipei a provisional capital.

Nationalist resistance collapsed in January 1949. Beijing fell without a fight and refugees began fleeing to Taiwan. By the end of the year, 600,000 soldiers and 2 million civilians had fled from the mainland. The government fled from Nanjing to Guangzhou in January. In February, China's gold reserves were transferred to Taiwan. Nanjing fell in April, Shanghai in May. Neither city offered resistance. At Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Communist leader [[Mao Zedong]] proclaimed the People's Republic on October 1, 1949. Guangzhou fell on October 15.

====Nationalists on Taiwan: 1949-present====

====Nationalists on Taiwan: 1949-present====

In 1949, the Communists established the People's Republic on the mainland, while the Nationalists retreated to [[Taiwan]]. Despite its vastly reduced territory, Chiang's regime continued to receive diplomatic recognition from the United Nations and from most non-Communist states. The U.N. Security Council has five permanent seats, one of which is assigned to the Republic of China. In 1971, Taipei was expelled from the U.N. and the ROC seat was reassigned to Beijing.

On December 10, 1949, Chiang flew from Chengdu, the last Nationalist bastion on the mainland, to Taiwan and proclaimed Taipei a provisional capital. Despite its vastly reduced territory, Chiang's regime continued to receive diplomatic recognition from the United Nations and from most non-Communist states. The U.N. Security Council has five permanent seats, one of which is assigned to the Republic of China. In 1971, Taipei was expelled from the U.N. and the ROC seat was reassigned to Beijing.

In 1991, the Temporary Provisions were terminated, the claim to territory on the mainland was withdrawn, and legislators selected in the 1940s to represent mainland districts retired.<ref>"The authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the P.R.C. controls mainland China." ("[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/taiwan/15536.htm Taiwan (10/00): Profile], U.S. Department of State.) The map on the [http://english.president.gov.tw/ presidential website] makes no claim to territory on the mainland. The long-form name of the country is given as "Republic of China (Taiwan)."</ref>

In 1991, the Temporary Provisions were terminated, the claim to territory on the mainland was withdrawn, and legislators selected in the 1940s to represent mainland districts retired.<ref>"The authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the P.R.C. controls mainland China." ("[http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/taiwan/15536.htm Taiwan (10/00): Profile], U.S. Department of State.) The map on the [http://english.president.gov.tw/ presidential website] makes no claim to territory on the mainland. The long-form name of the country is given as "Republic of China (Taiwan)."</ref>