Conflict and Tension 1945-1972: The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations Flashcards

1
Q

Who was Mao Tse-tung/ Zedong?

A

A Chinese politician and communist who founded the People’s Republic of China.

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2
Q

When did Mao Tse-tung declare the establishment of the People’s Republic of China?

A

The 1st of October 1949

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3
Q

Who had previously ruled China and where did they retreat to ?

A

The Nationalists and they retreated to the island of Taiwan.

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4
Q

Once Stalin recognised Mao and the Communists as the rightful government of China, what was signed by the two nations ?

A

A Treaty of Friendship

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5
Q

What 4 things did the Treaty of Friendship state?

A
  1. $ 300 million in aid would be sent to China
  2. 8,000 Chinese students could travel to the USSR to study science and technology
  3. 20,000 Soviet experts were sent to help the development of China
  4. China agreed to give two of its major ports to the USSR and the right to the mine in its Xinjiang territory
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6
Q

In what ways did the Treaty of Friendship mainly benefit the USSR?

A
  1. 95% of that $300 million aid would need to be repaid and most was to be spent on Soviet goods.
  2. Much of the 20,000 Soviet experts advice seemed to benefit the USSR rather than China
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7
Q

Chinese communists were largely _______ farmers, unlike in the Russian Revolution which had been led by _____ workers in the city.

A
  1. peasant
  2. factory
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8
Q

When did the relationship between the countries particularly begin to break?

A

After Stalin’s death.

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9
Q

Who did the West think were the rightful rulers rather than China?

A

The government in Taiwan.

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10
Q

In Washington and other Western capitals, what was Maos victory seen as?

A

. The Truman doctrine and the policy of containment had failed
. Stalin had influenced the most highly populated country- abig victory on his end
. A threat to the rest of Asia- ‘domino theory’

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11
Q

What is known as the Domino theory ?

A

The theory followed in the USA from Eisenhower onwards that when one country becomes communist, it’s neighbours would soon follow.

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12
Q

Why would Taiwan and Japan have a particularly high chance of becoming communist?

A

. Taiwan- the last part of China held by the Nationalists
. Japan-still recovering from the effects of WW2

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13
Q

How did the USA respond to Mao’s Victory?

A

By dramatically increasing funding to Japan and other countries in Asia, to combat the threat of communism.

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14
Q

In September 1949 what allowed for a major build-up of the American military ?

A

The highly secret National Security Council Resolution 68 (NCS-68).

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15
Q

When was the Korean War ?

A

1950- 53

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16
Q

During the Potsdam Conference, where was Korea to be divided along.

A

The 38th Parallel

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17
Q

Who led communist North Korea ?

A

Kim Il Sung, a Soviet- trained politician.

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18
Q

Who led South Korea ?

A

Syngman Ree, a committed anti-communist who was backed by America.

19
Q

What did both men hope to do?

A

Unite Korea under their own leadership.

20
Q

Who’s support did Rhee call for in overthrowing Kim?

A

American

21
Q

What did Kim send to try and undermine the southern government ?

A

Raiding parties across the border

22
Q

When did Kim ask Stalin to help invade the South?

A

1949

23
Q

Stalin agreed to provide weapons and equipment: what did Stalin not provide?

A

Troops

24
Q

How many troops dif the USA already hace stationed in the South?

A

7500

25
Q

When did North Korean troops invade South Korea ?

A

June 1950

26
Q

How did the USA respond to North Korea’s invasion?

A

The USA ask the UN to call for a ceasefire.

27
Q

Why did the UN vote for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops ?

A

The USSR was boycotting the UN and unable to oppose the motion.

28
Q

Why did the UN vote for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops ?

A

The North troops remained the USSR was boycotting the UN and unable to oppose the motion.

29
Q

The _____ troops remained and so the UN sent _____ to support Rhee’s government.

A
  1. North’s
  2. troops
30
Q

Even though the majority of the troops were American, why couldn’t the USA be accused of acting alone?

A

They were officially UN and soldiers.

31
Q

When did USA-led forces land at inchon and drive North Koreans back to the 38th Parallel?

A

September 1950

32
Q

Who was the commander of the USA- led forces?

A

General MacArthur

33
Q

When did Chinese troops help to push the Americans back?

A

October

34
Q

Where did the Chinese troops take over once pushing the Americans back?

A

South Korea’s capital, Seoul.

35
Q

In April 1951 why was general MacArthur dismissed?

A

After calling for the use of a nuclear weapon.

36
Q

When had the war reached to stalemate?

A

By June

37
Q

When was a final ceasefire agreed ?

A

In July

38
Q

How was Korea divided ?

A

The same as before – North and South.

39
Q

What is a proxy war?

A

An indirect war between superpowers- where the USA or USSR fund the other enemy.

40
Q

The Korean War was the ____ proxy war of the _____ War. The Korean War showed that the USA was willing to go toward in order to contain ________.

A
  1. first
  2. Cold
  3. communism
41
Q

What did the Korean War show about the amount of power the USA had within the UN ?

A

That’s the US saying had a lot of power in the UN.

42
Q

What did the dismissal of MacArthur show about the USA ?

A

They didn’t want direct conflict with the USSR or to use nuclear weapons.

43
Q

True or false: The USSR was equally keen to avoid direct conflict with the USA.

A

True