The distracted superpowers 1963 - 72

Question 1

What 2 reasons were there for the US and USSR falling into détente in 1963?

Answer 1

1. The Cuban Missile Crisis - neither side wanted an all-out nuclear war
2. Preoccupied with other foreign conflicts
   
   1. US = Vietnam War
   2. USSR = major threat from China

Question 2

Who wanted détente after the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 2

Both the two superpowers and the Western European staes

Question 3

Because of the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War, what did the US want out of détente?

Answer 3

1. To stabilise Europe
2. To restrain the USSR

Question 4

What does PRC stand for?

Answer 4

People’s Republic of China

Question 5

Because of the PRC’s threat to the USSR, what did the USSR want out of détente?

Answer 5

1. To lead Washington and its allies to permanently accept the post-war division of Europe
2. ^ to agree to something approaching nuclear partity between the USA and USSR

Question 6

What did the French want from détente?

Answer 6

To undermine the influence of both superpowers in Europe so that th individual European states could regain their freedom

Question 7

Why did the West Germans (FRG) want détente?

Answer 7

They considered it an essential precondition for remaining in contact with and helping their fellow citizens in the GDR

Question 8

Why did the British government welcome détente?

Answer 8

They faced mounting economic problems, and détente was a way of terminating the arms race and saving money

££££££££££££££

Question 9

How did the Cold War continue during this time of détente in Europe?

Answer 9

1. Both the USSR and PRC assisted the North Vietnamese
2. The USSR constructed a large navy so it could project its power globally

Question 10

How did the Soviets use their large navy in 1976?

Answer 10

In 1976:

Transported around 12,000 Cuban troops along with tanks and missiles to aid the Communist Popular Movement for the liberation of Angola

Question 11

What caused the Sino-Soviet split?

(2 general)

Answer 11

1. A mixure of both domestic and international factors
2. Simmering resentment in China of the long history of Russian imperialism which had encroached on its nothern frontiers during the 1800 and early 1900s

Question 12

What was the fundemental conflict between the PRC and the USSR?

Answer 12

Moa: perceived Khrushchev to be:

1. An appeaser of NATO and the US
2. A betrayer of the legacy of Stalin and Lenin

Soviet leadership: in return convinced that, under Mao:

1. The PRC intended to displace the USSR as the leading Communist state

Question 13

What happened after 1958 between the PRC and USSR?

Answer 13

The differences between them multiplied

Question 14

Who did the USSR send over to China in 1956, and why?

Answer 14

Soviet economic advisors and technicians to help the PRC industrialise

Question 15

What did the Soviet economic experts have to say about Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’?

Do you think this advice was appreciated?

Answer 15

That it was both impractical and harmful to the Chinese economy.

Probably rubbed Chinese up the wrong way >:( - in July 1960 these experts were recalled to the USSR

Question 16

Why did Mao reject plans with the USSR for sharing military bases and operating joint naval units in the Pacific?

Answer 16

He believed that they were in reality ‘imperialist’ plans to subordinate the PRC’s armed forces to the USSR.

Question 17

How did the PRC’s attempt to rally the Chinese people behind the ‘Great Leap Forward’ in August 1958 alarm Khrushchev?

What was his concern?

Answer 17

They began an intense bombardment of the Nationalist-controlled Quemoy Islands off Taiwan

Khrushchev: this might lead to war with the USA!

Question 18

In June ____, Krushchev refused to assist the PRC and further with ____ ____ on the grounds that the ____ and the USSR were discussing a possible ban on ____ ____ at Geneva.

Answer 18

In June 1959, Krushchev refused to assist the PRC and further with nuclear technology on the grounds that the USA and the USSR were discussing a possible ban on nuclear weapons at Geneva.

Question 19

Name 4 instances that show the increase in differences between the USSR and PRC after 1958

Answer 19

1. Soviet economic advisors and technicians criticise Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’, and are recalled to USSR in 1960
2. Mao rejects Soviet plans for joint military bases and naval untis in Pacific because thinks they subordinate the PRC’s forces to USSR
3. 1958 Chinese bombard Quemoy Islands to rally Chinese around ‘GLF’, alarming Khrushchev that it might lead to war with US
4. 1959 Khrushchev refuses to further help Chinese with nuclear technology because discussing possible ban with US at Geneva

Question 20

What did Khrushchev’s death in Oct 1964 cause hope for?

Answer 20

The restoration of good Sino-Soviet relations

Question 21

How did the Chinese try to restore good relations with the USSR in November 1964?

Explain its success

Answer 21

Mission led by Premier Zhou Enlai was sent to the USSR to improve relations.

Unsuccessful - allegedly Soviet Defense Minister MAlinowshi urged Zhou Enlai to overthrow Mao

Question 22

When and why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution?

Answer 22

August 1966

To inspire the Chinese to recapture the revolutionary enthusiasm of 1949 and to hunt down intellectuals and Chinese Communist Party officials allegedly guilty of ‘revisionist’ attitudes

Question 23

How does Mao’s Cultural Revolution tie into the decline in Sino-Soviet relations?

Answer 23

Mao linked the fight against the revisionists within China with the propaganda campaign against the ‘revisinoist’ USSR

Question 24

In 1966 what did the PRC regard the USSR as?

Answer 24

USSR = the PRC’s primary foe

Question 25

What beef from the 1800s (and in 1917) negatively impacted Sino-Soviet relations later on?

Answer 25

In the 1800s the Russian Empire forced the Chinese Empire to negotiatie **treaties** which **ceded several regions** to Russia. After 1917 the USSR repudiated these treaties but **never returned the land**

Question 26

What area was the 1969 Sino-Soviet territorial dispute centred on?

Answer 26

The _52,000_ square kilometres of Soviet-controlled land between the **Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region** and the Soviet controlled region of **Tajikistan**

Question 27

What happened on the Soviet-occupied **Zhenbao Island** on the Ussuri River on March 19**69**?

Answer 27

Two bloody conflicts 1-2 March a PRC force **overwhelmed** the Soviet garrison but was evetually **driven off** the island after a massive **Soviet counter-attack**

Question 28

What Sino-Soviet conflict happened on 13 August 19**69** in **Xinjiang Province**?

Answer 28

A PRC brigade of over **1000** was **annihilated** by Soviet troops The PRC relatiated by declaring a **general mobilisation** along the border with the **USSR and Mongolia**

Question 29

Why were the USA determined to avoid elections (to be heldin 19**_56_**) for a united Vietnamese parliament?

Answer 29

In case they resulted in the creation of a **Communist Vietnam**

Question 30

What did the USA hope to do instead of creating a united Vietnamese parliament?

Answer 30

Strengthen an **independent south** Vietnam

Question 31

What did the US do in an attempt to stop the spread of communism to South-East Asia?

Answer 31

Established the Southeastern Asian Treaty Organisation **_SEATO_**

Question 32

Who were the mebers of SEATO?

Answer 32

1. US 2. Britain 3. France 4. Australia 5. New Zealand 6. Thailand 7. The Phillipines 8. Pakistan

Question 33

Explain the effectiveness of SEATO

Answer 33

_Ineffective_: Members were **not legally obliged** to assist each other **militarily** to prevent the spread of communism

Question 34

How did the US meddle with South Vietnamese leadership for their anti-communist agenda in **June 1954**?

Answer 34

With US support, head of state Bao Dai appointed **Ngo Dinh Diem as PM** of South Vietnam - Largely because he was **VERY anti-communist**

Question 35

Describe Diem's brief success at the start of his PMship

Answer 35

Diem quickly **removed Bao Dai** and temporarily managed to **consolidate** his position

Question 36

How did Diem then cock things up and rapidly lose support? (2 main)

Answer 36

1. He **alienated** key groups e.g the majority **Buddhists**, by favouring the 10% of pop Roman Catholics * Catholics favoured in the allocation of posts in the _army_ and _public services_ 2. He did not carry out the promised programme of **land reform** * Would have taken _land away_ from the _large landowners_ and _redistributed_ it to the _peasantry_

Question 37

In spring **1959-1960**, how did the US's meddling in South Vietnamese leadership backfire?

Answer 37

_North Vietnam exploited Diem's unpopularity_: 1. North Vietnam announced the **resumption of armed struggle** against the South Vietnamese government 2. **Smuggled arms** southwards across Ho Chi Minh Trail 3. 1960 - Viet Cong founded the National Front for the Liberation of Vietnam (**NFL**) to **rally Diem's opposition** by promising reform and the creation of a united, independent Vietnam

Question 38

By the autumn of 1961, Diem's government was ____ \_\_\_\_ ____ \_\_\_\_

Answer 38

By the autumn of 1961, Diem's government was **in danger of collapse**

Question 39

What had the Viet Cong done by 1961 which put Diem's government on the verge of collapse?

Answer 39

The Viet Cong had seized control of a large number of villages

Question 40

How did Kennedy respond to Diem's demand for immediate assistance in 1961? Did this help?

Answer 40

Kennedy sent a small force of **8,000 US troops** to help conduct military opertions against the Viet Cong This was not **enough** to stabilise Diem's regime

Question 41

What tipped Diem's unstable regime over the edge? Date?

Answer 41

_May 1963_ Diem's troops **fired into a crowd** of people celebrating the sacred occasion of **Buddha's birthday** - they had violated the law banning the flying of non-governmental **flags**

Question 42

What did Diem's troops shooting into teh crowd celebrating Buddha's birthday provoke?

Answer 42

A wave of anger across the country which resulted in: * Protest marches * Self-immolations by Buddhist monks

Question 43

What was Kennedy's response to Diem's unpopularity and **rumours** that he was considering **negotiations with North Vietnam**? Date? Result?

Answer 43

Kennedy backed a **coup** mounted by the **South Vietnamese army** in November 19**63** * Diem and his brother were murdered

Question 44

Who was installed after Diem's death?

Answer 44

General Khanh

Question 45

Did Khanh succeed in defeating the Viet Cong? Result?

Answer 45

No - by 19**64** the war in South Vietnam was **rapidly escalating**

Question 46

What ^{_{(possibly set-up)}} event made the US Congress give the president the authority to 'take all necessary measures' to defend US forces in South-East Asia?

Answer 46

The **shooting** of the US destroyer, the *Maddox*, by two North Vietnamese patrol boats in the **Gulf of Tonkin**

Question 47

How did the *Maddox* retaliate to being shot-at?

Answer 47

Damaged two boats and sank a third

Question 48

When did the US Congress give the president the authority to 'take all necessary measures' to defend US forces in South-East Asia?

Answer 48

7th August 1964

Question 49

How did the president go about asserting his authority to protect the US in Vietnam?

Answer 49

_January 1965:_ * Operation Rolling Thunder * _{^{(sustained bombing campaign of North Vietnam)}} _1966:_ * Over 500,000 US soldiers in South Vietnam

Question 50

Name 2 of the reasons the US were unsuccessful in Vietnam? Specific stat please.

Answer 50

1. The Viet Cong were supplied with **weapons and provisions** transported down the **Ho Chi Minh Trail** ## Footnote Eventually, supplies able to support around 17,000 Viet Cong guerillas 2. The **paddy fields** and dense **jungle** ideal terrain for **guerilla warfare**, terrible for traditional warfare

Question 51

How many PRC troops helped out in North Vietnam? How did they aid North Vietnam?

Answer 51

Over 320,000 PRC troops in North Vietnam 1. Engaged in construction, maintenance, and defense of **transport links** and important **strategic targets** 2. Freed North Vietnamese troops for **deployment in South** 3. Deterred a **US invasion** of the North

Question 52

What was agreed about the involvement of PRC troops in North Vietnam?

Answer 52

Unless US **invaded** the North, PRC would not become **directly involved** in the conflict

Question 53

How much money (in worth of time) did the USSR deliver in goods and aid between 1965-67?

Answer 53

Around **$670 million** ^{_{(in $ at time)}} worth of goods and aid

Question 54

What was the USSR's delivery of goods and aid to North Vietnam 1965-67 mostly used for?

Answer 54

Defense