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Questions and Answers
How did China rise as a world power after 1949?
China became communist and emerged as a major world power influencing the Cold War.
Which of the following factors contributed to the Sino-Soviet Split?
The Great Leap Forward was a successful initiative led by Mao Zedong.
False
What was the main consequence of Mao's Cultural Revolution?
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Match the following events with their descriptions:
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What major action did the USA take against China after the declaration of the People's Republic of China in 1949?
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What was the purpose of Nixon's Doctrine regarding China?
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Mao Zedong's leadership style was democratic in nature.
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Which event marked the first visit of a US president to China?
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China's leadership during the late 1960s viewed the USA as a threat in the region.
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What nickname was given to the improved diplomatic relations between the USA and China, illustrated by a ping-pong match?
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The Dalai Lama fled to ______ after the 1959 revolt.
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What was the outcome of the brief war between India and China in 1962?
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Match the countries to their specific relationships with China:
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China's relationship with Vietnam improved significantly after the Vietnam War.
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Who was the leader of China after Mao's death that initiated economic reforms?
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Which economic strategy did China adopt after Mao's death?
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By the time of Mao's death, China had become a recognized ______ power.
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Study Notes
China’s Rise to Power
- China was in a state of political disunity and weakness after World War Two
- After 1949, China became communist under Mao Zedong and emerged as a major world power
- The USSR welcomed the People’s Republic of China as an ally and signed a treaty of friendship
- The Americans saw the communist victory in China as part of a Soviet plot to spread communism
- China later broke with the USSR and became a powerful state in its own right
The Sino-Soviet Split
- The USSR withdrew its advisors from China and cancelled all aid in 1960
- Ideological differences between Mao and the USSR resulted in the Sino-Soviet split
- Mao supported Marx’s belief that the revolution only ended when a classless society was achieved, the Soviets believed in a gradual transformation
- Khrushchev's de-Stalinisation policy and move towards peaceful co-existence with the West led to accusations of ‘revisionism’ from the CCP accusing the USSR of departing from the true doctrines of Marxism-Leninism
- The USSR refused to support China in the 1958 Taiwan conflict and withdrew advisors
- Border disputes and the belief that China received less Soviet aid than other non-communist countries contributed to the split
- The USSR criticized the Great Leap Forward and refused to supply China with nuclear weapons
- The USSR and China’s competition for influence among newly independent nations resulted in a battle for domination of the communist world
China’s Relationship with the USA
- The USA was alarmed and openly hostile following the declaration of the People’s Republic of China in 1949
- The USA supported China's enemies, Chiang Kai Shek’s Chinese Nationalist Government, during the civil war and after their withdrawal to Taiwan
- The USA continued to recognise Taiwan as the representative of the people of China and established military alliances along China’s eastern and southern borders
- The Korean War (1950-1953) brought the Chinese and American forces into direct conflict
- The Vietnam War (1965-1973) saw China supply aid to North Vietnam
- President Nixon's Nixon Doctrine sought to improve relations with China to take advantage of the Sino-Soviet split
- The USA withdrew its opposition to China’s membership in the UN in 1971
- Richard Nixon became the first US president to visit China in 1972
- China and the USA signed a Friendship Treaty in 1972
- Relations improved significantly after Mao’s death in 1976, with China establishing full diplomatic relations with the USA and Deng Xiaoping visiting the USA in 1979
- The 1970s saw an increase in trade and investment between China and the West
China’s Changing Relations with Neighbouring States
- China’s relationship with Tibet was impacted by the 1950 invasion and annexation by China
- China’s contested border with India led to a border war in 1962
- Vietnam’s war against the USA and China's support for North Vietnam led to tensions
- Taiwan was continuously supported by the USA and remained under the control of the Chinese Nationalist Government
China as a Superpower
- Mao’s death in 1976 saw the end of the Cultural Revolution
- Deng Xiaoping's economic liberalisation policies led to significant economic growth, attracting investment and improving relations with the West
- China’s emergence as a “Superpower” remains a contested issue
- The extent to which China established itself as a ‘superpower’ by the time of Mao’s death remains a subject of debate
China's Relationships with Neighbouring States
- China’s relationships with its neighbours were affected by its communist ideology and its economic status as a developing nation.
- China had a strong relationship with the USSR during the Cold War due to a shared communist ideology and a lack of dependence on foreign aid.
- China's relationship with the West was strained during the Cold War as they viewed each other as ideological opponents.
- China actively sought alliances with developing nations in Africa and Asia, promoting a “Third World” solidarity.
China's Relations with Tibet
- Tibet, a mountainous region with distinct language and culture, has historically struggled for autonomy.
- Tibet was a protectorate of China during the 18th century, with China allowing Tibet to manage its own affairs.
- Tibet declared independence in the 1920s, capitalizing on China's weakness and disunity.
- In 1950-1951, the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army invaded Tibet, conquering the region in six months.
- The Seventeen-Point Agreement signed between China and Tibet removed Tibet's independence by taking control of its external affairs and armed forces.
- While accepting the Chinese control, the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders contested the agreement, claiming it was forced upon them.
- Resistance to Chinese rule increased, fueled by the Dalai Lama and Buddhist monks, leading to armed guerrilla warfare.
- The Chinese retaliated brutally, destroying villages and issuing threats against the Dalai Lama and the Potala Palace.
- In 1959, a revolt in Lhasa led to a Chinese crackdown, killing thousands of Tibetans, and forcing the Dalai Lama to flee into exile in India.
- The Dalai Lama's presence in India created tension between India and China, as well as between China and Western countries supporting the Tibetan cause.
- After the uprising, Tibet was placed under direct Chinese rule, with the Chinese imposing their language, restricting Tibetan activities, and seizing land.
- The Cultural Revolution further intensified oppression against Tibetan Buddhism, with temples destroyed and monks persecuted.
- The Chinese authorities isolated Tibet from the outside world for decades, but they have recently introduced policies promoting tourism and economic development.
China’s Relations with India
- India initially supported Mao and the CCP, recognizing the People's Republic of China and signing a "peaceful co-existence" agreement acknowledging Tibet as part of China.
- Tensions arose over disputed border territories, with India incorporating Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin into its territory while China challenged these claims.
- The 1959 Tibetan uprising worsened relations, as China condemned India for harboring the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees.
- A short war in 1962 erupted over the border territories, resulting in Chinese control of Aksai Chin and India retaining Arunachal Pradesh.
- Despite a truce, tension persisted, with further border clashes in Sikkim in 1967.
- The 1962 war is seen as Mao consolidating his power within China by demonstrating a successful military campaign.
- It also led to other nations becoming suspicious of China's aggressive intentions and prompting India to shift its foreign policy away from non-alignment.
- India formed a Treaty of Friendship with the USSR in 1971, a move denounced by China as "Soviet expansionism."
- Nuclear developments in India in the 1990s further strained the relationship, but extensive trade relations have developed despite challenging border issues.
China’s Relations with Vietnam
- Vietnam's historical and cultural ties with China, including periods of Chinese rule over parts of the country, created an initially close relationship.
- Foreign powers, including the West, the USSR, and China, were vying for influence in Southeast Asia during the Cold War, fueling tensions between the superpowers.
- North Vietnam relied on China initially for support during the Vietnam War, but later turned to the USSR for greater assistance due to China's reluctance to fully engage.
- China remained largely non-interventionist during the war, even as tensions emerged between China and North Vietnam due to China's stance on the Cultural Revolution.
- China's relationship with Vietnam remained strained following the war, exacerbated by Vietnam's close alliance with the USSR.
- In 1979, China invaded northern Vietnam, citing Vietnamese aggression against Cambodia.
- The invasion, however, stemmed from China's desire to destabilize the Vietnamese regime and counter the growing Soviet influence.
- The invasion led to fierce clashes between the two militaries, ultimately resulting in a Chinese withdrawal.
- The conflict highlighted how even shared communist ideology could not prevent tensions and conflict due to local issues and competing interests.
- With the collapse of the Soviet Union, relations between China and Vietnam improved, culminating in a "Joint Statement for Comprehensive Cooperation" in 2000, leading to increased trade.
China’s Relations with Taiwan
- After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the defeated Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China, refusing to acknowledge the communist People's Republic of China.
- The US initially supported the Kuomintang in Taiwan, further aggravating tensions between China and Taiwan.
- China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that rightfully belongs to it, advocating for reunification.
- US military presence in the Taiwan Strait and support for Taiwan during the Cold War prevented China from taking military action.
- The US involvement, including the threat of nuclear retaliation in 1958 after China attacked Quemoy and Matsu, effectively deterred Chinese military action against Taiwan.
- The Soviet Union also dissuaded China from invading Taiwan to avoid US intervention in Asia.
- The presence of US missile bases in Taiwan has provided continued security for the island, preventing attacks from mainland China.
China's Development as a Superpower by Mao's Death
- By the time of Mao's death, China had become a significant global power.
- China achieved nuclear status in 1967 by testing its first hydrogen bomb, solidifying its military capabilities.
- China's military build-up gained it respect and was viewed as a threat by other nations.
- China's military activities in Africa, including the construction of the Tan-Zam railway, allowed it to gain influence and respect in the region.
- While not achieving superpower status, China was recognized as a major world power by the time of Mao's death.
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