A civil war fought for control of China between the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and the Chinese Communist Party. It unfolded in two major phases, from 1927 to 1937 and from 1945 to 1949. The Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, ultimately prevailed, forcing Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist government to retreat to Taiwan. The Communist Party took control of mainland China and established the People’s Republic of China, while the Republic of China continued to govern Taiwan.