Conflict and Tension 1945-1972: The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations Flashcards
Who was Mao Tse-tung/ Zedong?
A Chinese politician and communist who founded the People’s Republic of China.
When did Mao Tse-tung declare the establishment of the People’s Republic of China?
The 1st of October 1949
Who had previously ruled China and where did they retreat to ?
The Nationalists and they retreated to the island of Taiwan.
Once Stalin recognised Mao and the Communists as the rightful government of China, what was signed by the two nations ?
A Treaty of Friendship
What 4 things did the Treaty of Friendship state?
- $ 300 million in aid would be sent to China
- 8,000 Chinese students could travel to the USSR to study science and technology
- 20,000 Soviet experts were sent to help the development of China
- China agreed to give two of its major ports to the USSR and the right to the mine in its Xinjiang territory
In what ways did the Treaty of Friendship mainly benefit the USSR?
- 95% of that $300 million aid would need to be repaid and most was to be spent on Soviet goods.
- Much of the 20,000 Soviet experts advice seemed to benefit the USSR rather than China
Chinese communists were largely _______ farmers, unlike in the Russian Revolution which had been led by _____ workers in the city.
- peasant
- factory
When did the relationship between the countries particularly begin to break?
After Stalin’s death.
Who did the West think were the rightful rulers rather than China?
The government in Taiwan.
In Washington and other Western capitals, what was Maos victory seen as?
. The Truman doctrine and the policy of containment had failed
. Stalin had influenced the most highly populated country- abig victory on his end
. A threat to the rest of Asia- ‘domino theory’
What is known as the Domino theory ?
The theory followed in the USA from Eisenhower onwards that when one country becomes communist, it’s neighbours would soon follow.
Why would Taiwan and Japan have a particularly high chance of becoming communist?
. Taiwan- the last part of China held by the Nationalists
. Japan-still recovering from the effects of WW2
How did the USA respond to Mao’s Victory?
By dramatically increasing funding to Japan and other countries in Asia, to combat the threat of communism.
In September 1949 what allowed for a major build-up of the American military ?
The highly secret National Security Council Resolution 68 (NCS-68).
When was the Korean War ?
1950- 53
During the Potsdam Conference, where was Korea to be divided along.
The 38th Parallel
Who led communist North Korea ?
Kim Il Sung, a Soviet- trained politician.
