The Xi'an Incident occurred in December 1936 when General Zhang Xueliang, a warlord in northern China, detained Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Nationalist government. This event was significant as it aimed to persuade Chiang to focus on fighting the invading Japanese forces instead of continuing his campaign against the Chinese Communist Party. The incident led to a temporary alliance between the Nationalists and the Communists, which was crucial for China's resistance against Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After negotiations, Chiang was released, and the incident marked a pivotal moment in Chinese history, influencing the country's political landscape.