May 20, 1948: Members of the newly elected Chinese government head to the assembly hall. This marked the first national general election held in China since 1912[1280×813]
May 20, 1948: Members of the newly elected Chinese government head to the assembly hall. This marked the first national general election held in China since 1912[1280×813]
​Center: President Chiang Kai-shek (wearing top hat).
Right: Song Mei-ling (Madame Chiang).
Left: Vice President Li Zongren (in military uniform with medals).
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Months later, on January 21, 1949—the same day Fu Zuoyi, the Commander-in-Chief of North China, surrendered to Lin Biao—Chiang Kai-shek announced his resignation, and Li Zongren took over as President.Â
With nearly all mobile forces already decimated by Lin Biao and Deng Xiaoping, the government’s collapse was imminent.Â
In December of that year, Chiang fled to Taiwan, while Li surrendered to Mao at 1965.
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This election, was a major trigger for the Civil War.Â
It was supposed to happen in 1946, but the Communists insisted on holding 14 out of the 40 seats—just enough to veto any legislation at will. Chiang refused to go higher than 13.Â
When the seat negotiations collapsed, the Communists pulled out of the election and kicked all KMT officials out of their military zones.
 In response, Chiang declared the Communists rebels, and the nation slid into full-scale civil war.
By the time the elections actually commenced, nearly half of China was reeling from the fires of war
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​Center: President Chiang Kai-shek (wearing top hat).
Right: Song Mei-ling (Madame Chiang).
Left: Vice President Li Zongren (in military uniform with medals).
Months later, on January 21, 1949—the same day Fu Zuoyi, the Commander-in-Chief of North China, surrendered to Lin Biao—Chiang Kai-shek announced his resignation, and Li Zongren took over as President.Â
With nearly all mobile forces already decimated by Lin Biao and Deng Xiaoping, the government’s collapse was imminent.Â
In December of that year, Chiang fled to Taiwan, while Li surrendered to Mao at 1965.
This election, was a major trigger for the Civil War.Â
It was supposed to happen in 1946, but the Communists insisted on holding 14 out of the 40 seats—just enough to veto any legislation at will. Chiang refused to go higher than 13.Â
When the seat negotiations collapsed, the Communists pulled out of the election and kicked all KMT officials out of their military zones.
 In response, Chiang declared the Communists rebels, and the nation slid into full-scale civil war.
By the time the elections actually commenced, nearly half of China was reeling from the fires of war