The Collapse of Nationalist China

How Chiang Kai-shek Lost China's Civil War

Parks M. Coble (University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

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English

Cambridge University Press
07 August 2025

Asian history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Economic history

When World War II ended Chiang Kai-shek seemed at the height of his power-the leader of Nationalist China, one of the victorious Allied Powers in 1945 and with the financial backing of the US. Yet less than four years later, he lost the China's civil war against the communists. Offering an insightful chronological treatment of the years 1944–1949, Parks Coble addresses why Chiang was unable to win the war and control hyperinflation. Using newly available archival sources, he reveals the critical weakness of Chiang's style of governing, the fundamental structural flaws in the Nationalist government, bitter personal rivalries and Chiang's personal lack of interest in finance. This major work of revisionist scholarship will engage all those interested in the shaping of twentieth-century history.

By: Parks M. Coble (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781009297646
ISBN 10: 1009297643
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 07 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Parks M. Coble is James L. Sellers Professor of History at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Reviews for The Collapse of Nationalist China: How Chiang Kai-shek Lost China's Civil War

'… concise and engaging … of interest to professional historians and accessible to graduate and undergraduate students.' Harold Tanner, The China Quarterly '… [an] excellent treatment of the Chinese economy. Including this monograph in a graduate seminar on modern China would certainly generate lively and productive discussion among students.' Linh D. Vu, Journal of Chinese History '… a fair-minded and sensible account of Chiang, and a work of impressive scholarship using Chinese, Russian and English sources with skill.' Rana Mitter, chinabooksreview.com 'This is a superb but depressing account of how Chiang Kai-shek and the Guomindang (GMD) government mishandled the economy following Japan's defeat in WW II. … Recommended.' P. Lorge, Choice 'A useful and significant contribution.' Xavier Paulès, Cairn