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Questions and Answers
How did China rise as a world power after 1949?
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?
Which of the following factors contributed to the Sino-Soviet Split?
The Great Leap Forward was a successful initiative led by Mao Zedong.
The Great Leap Forward was a successful initiative led by Mao Zedong.
False
What was the main consequence of Mao's Cultural Revolution?
What was the main consequence of Mao's Cultural Revolution?
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Match the following events with their descriptions:
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?
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?
What was the purpose of Nixon's Doctrine regarding China?
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Mao Zedong's leadership style was democratic in nature.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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:
Match the countries to their specific relationships with China:
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China's relationship with Vietnam improved significantly after the Vietnam War.
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?
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?
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.
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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