September 1945

Japan returns Taiwan to China after WWII. The United States backs the KMT in accepting Japan's surrender.

October 1945

The KMT takes power in Taiwan.

January 1946

The United States mediates a military truce between the KMT and CCP.

February 1947

A beating incident sparks Taiwanese revolt in protest of KMT rule ("228" incident), ending in bloody suppression.

October 1949

Mao proclaims the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) under CCP rule. The KMT retreats from the mainland to Taiwan.

January 1950

The United States announces nonparticipation in the Chinese civil war.

June 1950

Truman sends the U.S. Seventh Fleet to patrol the Taiwan Strait in the wake of the outbreak of the Korean War.

February 1953

Eisenhower recalls the Seventh Fleet from the Taiwan Strait in the midst of truce talks in Korea.

June-July 1954

China adopts tougher line on Taiwan.

September 1954

The PRC begins shelling the island of Jinmen (Quemoy). The Seventh Fleet is sent back to the Taiwan Strait.

December 1954

Eisenhower signs the Mutual Defense Treaty with the ROC.

January-February 1955

Hostilities continue over several offshore islands in the Taiwan Strait. PRC premier Zhou Enlai refuses invitations to cease-fire talks.

April 1955

China participates in the Bandung Conference.

September 1955

U.S.-China Ambassadorial Talks begin.

Aug 1958

A second crisis erupts when the PRC resumes bombardment of the Jinmen (Quemoy) and Matsu islands.

October 1958

At the end of the second Taiwan Strait Crisis, the United States and ROC sign a joint communiqué stating that the KMT would not attempt to return to the mainland by force.

June 1962

U.S. president John F. Kennedy confronts a new Taiwan Strait crisis.