Chapter 7: China's Isolation Flashcards
What did Truman and his advisers want after China became Communist?
They favoured the avoidance of any military conflict with communist China as a consequence of supporting Jiang Jieshi.
When did Truman’s desire for no involvement with China stop?
When China and the USSR formed an alliance in early 1950. This alliance appeared to inflate China’s significance as a Far Eastern power.
What was the most alarming aspect of the Sino-Soviet alliance for the USA?
The commitment to mutual security guarentees to combat any aggression from Japan ‘or any other state that may collaborate in any way with Japan in acts of aggression’. The alliance appeared to consolidate communist political and military power in the region and it reinforced the USA’s need to develop its own power base in that part of the world. Japan became a crucial element of USA’s strategy in the Far East.
What did Stalin want from his alliance with China?
Was to work to the USSR’s advantage rather than open up wider international opportunities for the Chinese. Served to consolidate the USSR’s securirty in the Far East, strengthened USSR’s power as a Cold War protagonist and forced USA to review its policies towards Asia. Focus on Europe decreased which was to the USSR’ advantage.
How did the Korean War reinforce China’s isolation?
Stalin’s refusal to commit Soviet troops but his willingness to see Chinese troops involved also served to weaken China’s international status. USA also refused to accept China’s entry into the UN.
How did the invasion of South Korea by the communists undermine the US Defensive Perimeter Strategy?
It had defined specific places that the USA must defend, and this did not include either Taiwan or Korea, however the US did defend both.
What happened on 27th June, two days after the outbreak of the Korean War?
Truman ordered the US 7th Fleet to position itself between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
How did the Korean War end?
With the pre-War status quo being restored as far as North and South Korea were concerned.
What were the main impacts of the Korean War?
China’s isolation, pre-War status quo restored, US commitment to protect Taiwan, USA now more committed to protecting communism across Asia. US role in the post 1950s as a form of ‘global policeman’.
