What started the civil war in china?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War

The Chinese Civil War, which lasted from 1945 to 1949, was primarily a conflict between the Communist Party of China (led by Mao Zedong) and the Nationalist Party (led by Chiang Kai-shek). However, the root causes of the conflict can be traced back to several factors:

1. Long-standing political and ideological divisions: The Communist Party and Nationalist Party had been rivals since the 1920s, with differing ideologies and visions for China's future.

2. Japanese occupation: During World War II, Japan invaded and occupied large parts of China. Both the Communists and Nationalists fought against the Japanese. However, their experiences during the war further deepened their differences, as the Communist Party gained support and legitimacy through their guerrilla warfare tactics against the Japanese.

3. Weakness and corruption of the Nationalist government: The Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), faced various internal issues, including corruption, inflation, and widespread dissatisfaction among the Chinese people. This weakened their position and allowed the Communist Party to gain support.

4. Social and economic grievances: China faced serious social and economic problems, such as widespread poverty, rural unrest, and unequal land distribution. The Communist Party capitalized on these grievances and promised land reform and better conditions for the peasants.

As World War II came to an end and the Japanese retreated, tensions between the Communist Party and Nationalist Party escalated into a full-scale armed conflict. The civil war ultimately concluded in 1949, with the Communist Party emerging victorious and establishing the People's Republic of China. The Nationalist Party retreated to Taiwan, where they continued to govern the Republic of China.