Sino-Soviet Relations Flashcards
Define Sino-Soviet relations
describes the turbulent relationship the USSR and China. Began from the 1920s-1949 when the CCP eventually took over China, due to Stalin’s choice to support the Chinese Nationalists (Guomindang) because they seemed a stronger threat against Japanese expansion in China
Context for the Sino Soviet relations
‘Treaty of Friendship’ was signed in 1950 by both sides, supporting economic aid ($300million - mostly spent on defence industry: e.g. aluminium plant at Henan) Soviet military assistance and Aid to develop China’s air force
> Some Chinese resentment to unfair aspects of the treaty
Factors for the causes of the Sino-Soviet Split
National Interests
Personal Rivalries
Ideological Differences
Explain the ‘National Interests’ factor
> Refusal of the soviets to share technologies with the Chinese
USSR refused to reduce its ties with Mongolia - in Chinese sphere of influence
USSR constantly blocked China’s request to expand its control in North Korea
Border disputes heightened from 1967-1970
Chinese perception of the USSR deteriorated after the Czech invasion of 1968
- centers around the USSR wanting to remain superior - despite both wanting to achieve communism in an international scale.
Main point of ‘national interests’
- centers around the USSR wanting to remain superior - despite both wanting to achieve communism in an international scale.
Describe the Personal Rivalries factor
> Mao considered himself junior to Stalin, but when he dies in 1953 he considered himself senior to Khrushchev
Mao regarded Khrushchev’s reconciliation with Tito (Yugoslav leader who was unwilling to impose Stalin’s policies in 1948) as ideological revisionism
Mao’s domestic policies were based on Stalin’s so he was offended by Khrushchev’s Destalinisation speech in 1956 (at the 20th Party Congress)
- The worse opinions got of each other; trust levels decreased and compromise of communist ideals/policies became more difficult
What was the main issue with personal rivalries?
- The worse opinions got of each other; trust levels decreased and compromise of communist ideals/policies became more difficult
Describe the ideological differences factor m
> Arguments arose over the best way to pursue a communist revolution. CCP = rural based society vs. Comintern and Cominform
Mao was heavily critical of Krushchev’s pursuit of improved relations with the USA - he thought the policy of Peaceful Coexistence was showing weakness to the communist party
Khrushchev was highly critical of Mao’s Great Leap Forward in 1958
Mao felt that Khrushchev failed to see a privileged elite had developed that would prevent the development of socialism to communism.
Underpinned all failures: if they couldn’t achieve a common goal then the split was inevitable - especially as Mao criticised Peaceful Coexistence
What was the main point surrounding ideological differences?
Underpinned all failures: if they couldn’t achieve a common goal then the split was inevitable - especially as Mao criticised Peaceful Coexistence
When and where did Khrushchev deliver his ‘Destalinisation’ speech?
20th Party Congress, 1956
Who was Tito, and why did Mao regard Khrushchev’s reconciliation with him as ideological revisionism?
Yugoslav leader unwilling to impose Stalin’s policies in 1948
When did the border disputes heighten?
1967-1979
What caused the Chinese deception of the USSR to deteriorate and when was it?
Czech invasion, 1968
(Context)
When was the Treaty of Friendship signed and what did it state?
1950
Economic aid of $300million- mostly spent on defense industries: aluminium at Henan; rare metals at Hunan and Cable factory at Jiantan
Soviet military assistance and aid to develop China’s Air Force
What was the origins of Sino- Soviet relations deteriorating? (Inc. the year)
Began from 1920s until 1949 when the CCP took over China because of Stalin’s choice to support the Chinese Nationalists (Guomindang) because they seemed a stronger threat against Japanese expansion in China.
