Kuomintang (KMT)

(noun)

The Kuomintang (KMT) was the Chinese Nationalist Party. In the Chinese civil war, the KMT fought against the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC defeated the Nationalists in 1949, forcing the KMT leaders to retreat to Taiwan. After evacuating to Taiwan, the KMT continued to declare its intention to retake mainland China. The US recognized the KMT as the legitimate government of China, rather than recognize the CPC.

Related Terms

Examples of Kuomintang (KMT) in the following topics:

  • China and the Bomb

    • In 1950, the Soviet Union boycotted the United Nations security council, in protest at representation of China by the Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalist government, which had taken refuge in Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War.
    • MacArthur attempted to orchestrate public support for bombing China, as well as for assisting an invasion of the mainland by KMT forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek.

  • The Korean War

    • MacArthur attempted to orchestrate public support for bombing China, as well as for assisting an invasion of the mainland by KMT forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek.

  • McCarthyism

    • That same year, Mao Zedong's Communist army gained control of mainland China despite heavy American financial support of the opposing Kuomintang.