Chiang Kai-shek

Chiang Kai-shek was a Chinese politician, revolutionary, and general who led the Republic of China from 1928 until his death in 1975. His government was based in mainland China until it was defeated in the Chinese Civil War by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949, after which he continued to lead the Republic of China on the island of Taiwan. Chiang served as leader of the Nationalist Kuomintang party and the commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army from 1926 until his death, during which he was known as Generalissimo.

Born in Zhejiang, Chiang received a military education in China and Japan and joined Sun Yat-sen's Tongmenghui organization in 1908. After the 1911 Revolution, he was a founding member of the KMT and head of the Whampoa Military Academy from 1924.