Chiang Kai-shek was a Chinese military and political leader who served as the head of the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975. As the leader of the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang), he played a crucial role in China's history, particularly during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War. After the communist victory in 1949, Chiang retreated to Taiwan, where he continued to govern until his death. His legacy is complex, encompassing both his efforts to modernize China and his authoritarian rule.