Motives for Sino-US rapprochement

Question 1

What was Mao worried about?

Answer 1

Reports of a pre-emptive Soviet nuclear strike

Question 2

In 1969, why did China have very few allies (Only France, Pakistan and Albania)?

Answer 2

During the Cultural Revolution, China withdrew its ambassadors from most countries

Question 3

What did Mao hope than alliance with the USA could be used to do?

Answer 3

Confront the USSR, thus forcing it to accept an expansion of China’s borders

Question 4

What did Nixon hope he could do?

Answer 4

Persuade China to put pressure on the Vietcong to negotiate a peaceful settlement in Vietnam

Question 5

How did Nixon want to exploit the Sino-Soviet split?

Answer 5

By using a relationship with China to put pressure on the USSR to compromise with the West

Question 6

What did the Vietnam War demonstrate?

Answer 6

US military power was not as effective as had been hoped. Nixon wanted to make up for US military failures through new strategic alliances

Question 7

What did Nixon want to stop and why?

Answer 7

A soviet invasion of China because he did not want China to become a Russian satellite

Question 8

What did Nixon hope a friendship with China would allow?

Answer 8

The USA to focus its entire nuclear arsenal on the USSR