Sino-Soviet relations, 1949-1976 Flashcards

1
Q

When was the Treaty of Friendship signed?

A

1950.

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2
Q

When did Khrushchev deliver his Secret Speech?

A

1956.

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3
Q

Who did the Treaty of Friendship benefit more?

A

The Soviet Union.

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4
Q

When did the USSR pull economic aid and advisers from China?

A

1960.

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5
Q

When was the Sino-Soviet agreement on atomic cooperation cancelled by the USSR?

A

1959.

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6
Q

When did the battle of the Ussuri River happen? Why?

A
  1. Chinese soldiers attacked Soviet border guards.
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7
Q

When did Kissinger visit China?

A

1971.

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8
Q

How did China try to undermine Soviet influence in Eastern Europe in the early 60s?

A

They encouraged Romania to distance itself from the Soviet Union and financially supported Albania after it left the USSR.

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9
Q

When did China become communist?

A

1949.

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10
Q

Did Stalin consider China as an equal communist power?

A

No.

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11
Q

Why had Stalin been reluctant to support the Chinese Communist Party during the Chinese Civil War?

A

Because he felt that the nationalists offered a better defence against the Japanese expansion that was happening in China.

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12
Q

Who did the USSR give aid to during the Chinese Civil War?

A

The Guomindang (Chinese nationalists)

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13
Q

What were the terms of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1950? (The treaty of friendship)

A

-A formal alliance between both countries
-Economic aid for China, most of it was used to buy equipment for defence industries
-Soviet military aid in case of attack from Japan or the USA
-Soviet promise to restore Chinese sovereignty over the province of Manchuria
-Agreement to ban all non-soviet foreigners from Manchuria

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14
Q

Why did Mao not think North Korea taking military action against the South in 1950 was a good idea?

A

He feared it would mobilise the US and make them a bigger presence in the region. This would jeopardise Mao’s plans to invade Taiwan.

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15
Q

What were some things that China wanted but didn’t get with the 1950 Treaty?

A

-Mongolia (it remained in the Soviet sphere of influence)
-Stalin refused to give aid to conquer Taiwan out of fear of provoking the US
-No joint revolutionary strategy was devised for East Asia.

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16
Q

Why did Stalin not want soviet forces directly involved in the Korean War?

A

He feared US interference.

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17
Q

Why did Mao support the civil war in Korea?

A

-Threat of US action in China
-Debt owed to NK volunteers
-Opportunity to show China’s credentials as a world revolutionary force

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18
Q

Explain how Stalin used the domino theory to convince Mao to take action in North Korea.

A

He claimed that if North Korea fell to capitalism, a reverse domino theory would happen and the region would be in danger. He got his way and China got involved in the conflict.

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19
Q

When did Chinese forces become involved in the Korean War?

A

October 1950.

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20
Q

What were Mao’s feelings towards the USSR and Stalin?

A

He felt inequality but also a moral superiority.

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21
Q

Did Stalin care about spreading communism in East Asia?

A

No. He didn’t directly involve Soviet troops and overruled Mao when he deemed it necessary.

22
Q

When did the Taiwan Straits crises happen?

A

1954-55 and 1958.

23
Q

Why was control over the Taiwan Straits so important for Mao?

A

After the revolution, the remains of the Guomindang fled there. In Mao’s eyes, Chinese liberation was not complete without control over the Straits.

24
Q

What was SEATO?

A

Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation.

25
Q

Who were the Guomindang in Quemoy and Matsu supported by?

A

The US.

26
Q

When was Quemoy bombed for the first time?

A

September 1954.

27
Q

What were the reasons for the second bombing of Quemoy in 1958?

A

-Frustration at Taiwan’s lack of concessions in negotiations
-Mao wanted to test the US’s commitment to Taiwan
-Mao’s attempt to stir up revolutionary enthusiasm
-Opportunity to tie the USSR to the defence of China by highlighting the threat by the USA

28
Q

Why did Mao leave Quemoy and Matsu in the hands of the Guomindang and the US?

A

It gave him a way of applying pressure to the US and the Guomindang when needed. A noose to tighten and loosen when it suited him.

29
Q

When did the Chinese Red Guards attack the Russian embassy in Beijing?

A

1967.

30
Q

Why did armed struggles develop at the Ussuri River in 1969?

A

As a result of tensions. The river floods often and changes paths, and since it was used as a border this made the line between China and the USSR unclear. Due to tensions between the countries, the unclear border was used as an excuse to start armed conflicts.

31
Q

Explain some ideological differences between the USSR and China.

A

-Mao didn’t like Khrushchev’s reconciliation with Yugoslavian dictator Tito
-Mao didn’t like Khrushchev’s aim to improve relations with the US, he saw peaceful coexistence as a betrayal
-Mao didn’t agree with destalinization
-Mao criticized the elite that had developed in the USSR
-Khrushchev criticized Mao for splitting the communist movement
Khrushchev didn’t agree with Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’, in 1958

32
Q

What was the Great Leap Forward of 1958?

A

A Chinese economic plan.

33
Q

How did the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia affect China?

A

Mao felt threatened because he feared that if China strayed too far from Moscow they could be invaded too.

34
Q

When did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution?

A

1958.

35
Q

Were border disputes between China and the USSR the cause of tensions?

A

No, they were mostly the result.

36
Q

Why was the preliminary agreement for the USSR to hand over Damansky Island to China in 1964 cancelled?

A

Mao spoke openly about this being the first of many territorial gains from the USSR. Khrushchev was outraged.

37
Q

Why was armed conflict between China and the USSR especially dangerous in the 1960s?

A

Because both sides had nuclear weapons.

38
Q

What were the consequences of the Ussuri River dispute?

A

-Damansky Island remained Soviet
-Border dispute was left unsolved
-Tensions increased along the border
-Sino-US reapprochement

39
Q

What were some threats to Chinese security in the 1960s?

A

–Threat of increased US involvement in the region due to the Vietnam War
-Continued conflict in Taiwan
-Hostile neighbours (Korea & Japan)
-Tension with India over their shared border

40
Q

Were geographic threats the main factor in China’s rapprochement with the US?

A

No. Ideology always needs to be considered in the Cold War context.

41
Q

Why did Mao distance himself from the USSR?

A

He believed that it was developing into a reactionary and conservative society. This went against the core ideals of communism.

42
Q

What was the excuse the US and Chinese governments used to meet?

A

The 1971 World Table Tennis Championship in Japan.

43
Q

What were some obstacles in the way of improved Sino-US relations?

A

The Taiwan situation, the military situation in Vietnam, the division between North and South Korea, and how to deal with Japan’s emergence as an economic world power.

44
Q

When did President Nixon visit China?

A

February 1972.

45
Q

How did the Chinese government put pressure on the Soviet Union in the 70s?

A

They visited Eastern European countries to strengthen their ties with them.

46
Q

Trade between China and the US grew considerably during the 70s. What was a line the US were not willing to cross yet?

A

Trade in goods with military applications.

47
Q

When did the US give diplomatic recognition to China and withdraw it from Taiwan?

A

1978.

48
Q

Why did the new US-China relationship cause problems for China with its allies?

A

Because they accused China of betraying the world proletarian revolution.

49
Q

How did the rapprochement affect the Soviet Union?

A

It applied pressure because it was now a 2 vs 1 situation.

50
Q

How did the rapprochement affect Détente?

A

It helped bring the Soviet Union to the negotiating table from a position of weakness and forced them to make concessions.

51
Q

What was Détente?

A

The more permanent relaxation of superpower relations in the 70s. It produced agreements on trade, arms limitations and human rights.