October 1, 1949Reputable sourceWell documented
The People's Republic of China Is Founded
On the timeline · around October 1, 1949 ·
What happened
After winning the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalists, Communist leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China in Beijing. The defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan; the United States refused to recognize the new government.
Why it matters
The 'loss of China' brought the world's most populous nation into the communist camp and dramatically widened the Cold War in Asia.