Kuomintang

Sun Yat Sen portrait 2 (9to12)

Kuomintang (KMT), officially the Nationalist Party of China, is a major political party in the Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan. It was founded in 1912, following the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China. The KMT played a key role in the modern history of China, leading the country through the Xinhai Revolution, the Northern Expedition against warlords, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. After the Chinese Civil War, the KMT retreated to Taiwan in 1949, where it continued to claim sovereignty over all of China, opposing the Communist Party of China (CPC) which controls mainland China.

History

The Kuomintang traces its roots to the Revive China Society, founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1894. Sun, often revered as the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China and a significant figure in the establishment of the KMT, aimed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a modern, democratic state. Following the success of the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China, the KMT became the ruling party of China.

Under the leadership of Sun Yat-sen, the KMT attempted to unify China through the Northern Expedition, achieving significant success. However, after Sun's death in 1925, a power struggle ensued within the party, leading to the rise of Chiang Kai-shek, who eventually became the leader of the KMT and the ROC. Under Chiang's leadership, the KMT focused on fighting the Communist Party, leading to the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War.

Despite initial successes, the KMT was eventually defeated by the CPC in 1949, leading to its retreat to Taiwan. In Taiwan, the KMT established a government in exile and continued to rule under martial law until the late 20th century, when democratic reforms were implemented.

Ideology

The KMT's ideology has evolved over time, incorporating elements of Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, which include nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people. The party has historically been seen as conservative, supporting a capitalist economy and close ties with the West, particularly the United States, during the Cold War.

Political Role in Taiwan

In Taiwan, the KMT has been one of the two dominant parties, alongside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The KMT supports a policy of eventual unification with mainland China, under conditions of freedom and democracy for both sides. However, its stance on cross-strait relations has been a source of contention and has evolved in response to changing political dynamics in Taiwan and mainland China.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the KMT has faced challenges in adapting to Taiwan's rapidly changing political landscape, including increasing Taiwanese identity and skepticism of closer ties with mainland China. The party has experienced electoral setbacks, but remains a significant force in Taiwanese politics, advocating for peace and stability in cross-strait relations.

See Also

• Sun Yat-sen
• Chiang Kai-shek
• Democratic Progressive Party
• Chinese Civil War
• Second Sino-Japanese War