Ping Pong diplomacy

Question 1

Wwo had the USA backed in the Chinese civil war?

Answer 1

The nationalists

Question 2

Chinese motives for a Sino-US relationship

Answer 2

Mao worried about a soviet nuclear strike
China had very few allies in 1969 - France,Pakistan and Albania
Mao hoped a relationship with the USA could be used to confront the USSR

Question 3

USA motives for a Sino-US relationship

Answer 3

Nixon believed it would put pressure on the Vietcong to negotiate a peaceful settlement in Vietnam
Nixon wanted to exploit the Sino-Soviet split to put pressure on the USSR
needed new strategic alliances - the USA military was not as effective as they hoped
Would allow the USA to focus their entire nuclear arsenal on the USSR

Question 4

What were the first steps towards a Sino-US alliance?

Answer 4

July 1969 - Nixon relaxes trade and travel restrictions with China and nixon begins a secret dialogue with Mao
April 1971 - Mao invites the US ping pong team to play an international match in China

Question 5

When did Kissinger secretly visit China?

Answer 5

July 1971

Question 6

What did the USA do in October 1971?

Answer 6

Backed China’s entry into the UN

Question 7

Why were negotiations kept secret?

Answer 7

National pride
Domestic opinion
Taiwan - USA had a long standing commitment to defend Taiwan against China