Cold War: China and the USSR

Question 1

Chinese Convergence with USSR

Answer 1

1949 - Mao sees Stalin as an equal

China needed USSR help but Stalin was unwilling to have a strong China on the border and he often weakened China

Question 2

Reasons for the Formation of Relationship with USSR (5)

Answer 2

1. Soviet Communism
   - USSR was China’s model for development
   - Natural allies of each other
2. USSR economic aid
   - No experience of industrialisation
   - Signs Treaty of Friendship in 1950 where Soviets sent aid, loans, experts.
3. Fear of USA
   - Feared invasion of USA to re-establish Chiang Kai Shek as leader, needed USSR support as a deterrent
4. Support in the UN
   - US recognised Taiwan and USSR recognised PRC
5. Korean War 1950 - 1953
   - China and USSR supported NK in the war however the Chinese loss in the war was far greater. Stalin’s promised aerial support never arrived and the loss of Chinese soldier lives was significant.
   - Stalin made China pay for equipment

Question 3

Relationship with USA between 1949 and 1970

Answer 3

Before 70s - Rock bottom relationship. The USA embodied capitalism and imperialism.

After 70s - Relationships begin to improve while USSR relationship continues being strained

USA feared a 2 on 1 situation

Question 4

Relationship between USA from 1949-1960 (6)

Answer 4

1. Taiwan
   - US considered Taiwan the real government of China.
   - US fleet defended Taiwan against PRC invasion and supported Taiwan’s seat at the UN
2. Korea and Vietnam
   - Chinese forces attacked the US/US troops in Korea. China’s presence in Indo-China challenged US presence in the area
3. FCC 1967
   - US set up claims commission that demanded restitution for assets seized due to nationalisation in China
4. The Third Front
   - Convinced that they were going to be invaded by the US, China built fortifications and bunkers capable of surviving nuclear attack.
5. Anti-American Propaganda
   - Mao mocked the “paper tigers” and indoctrinated Chinese youth by making them refer to Americans as imperialist dogs
6. Nuclear Weapons
   - 1964: China tests first weapon that was developed without the USSR’s help. Showed that China was able to independently develop weapons which showed their danger to the West.

Question 5

Korean War: 1950-1953 (5)

Answer 5

1. Kim Il Sung
   - Asks Stalin and Mao for permission to attack the South in June 1950. UN sends troops to defend the South. Attack seen as aggressive action by communism in the region.
2. People’s Volunteers
   - Gen. MacArthur almost at Chinese border. 200000 Chinese troops attack. Supplied by Soviet weapons but no Soviet troops supported.
3. Human Wave
   - Costly human wave tactics used to repel the Americans to 38th parallel.
4. Chinese losses
   - Mao lost 400000-1000000 men. Mao resented the Soviets for not committing troops and making the Chinese pay for supplies
5. Panmunjom Truce
   - Chinese sign truce to end fighting after Stalin’s death in 1953

Question 6

SEATO: 1954 - 1977

Answer 6

Fell under Truman Doctrine (POC):

• Anti-communist bilateral and collective defence treaties. Based off of NATO
• Contain communist powers
• Developed by George Kennan, Eisenhower and John Dulles.

Question 7

Sino-Soviet Split: Divergence (9)

Answer 7

1. Mao in Moscow - 1949:
   - Stalin treated Mao poorly on his first state visit. Still viewed him as a junior partner rather than an equal as Mao did.
2. Treaty of Friendship - 1950:
   - The high cost of the TOF made Mao resentful and led him to believe that he was exploited by the USSR
3. Korean War:
   - Mao resented the high cost of war and the fact that Stalin didn’t put troops on the ground. Felt that he was being exploited
4. Ideological Differences:
   - Mao disagreed with Khrushchev’s Policy of Peaceful Coexistence at the Moscow Conference in 1957. Considered him to be a weak leader who was going against Stalinist ideologies. Khrushchev also disapproved of the Great Leap Forward and considered it a dangerous experiment
5. Khrushchev in Beijing - 1958:
   - Mao hosts it at swimming pool to humiliate Khrushchev because he can’t swim.
6. Asia and Africa:
   - Both powers competed for influence in newly decolonised countries
7. Division over Taiwan:
   - USSR didn’t provide support for PRC invasion of Taiwan
8. Sino-Indian War - 1962:
   - USSR supported India and gave them fighter jets during border conflict.
9. Sino-Soviet Confrontation - 1969:
   - Border clashes with USSR and China. Reorient missiles towards each other and away from the USA.