China (Grade 12)

Question 1

What was China’s relation with Vietnam in early history?

Answer 1

In earlier centuries there had been close ties between China and Vietnam (Vietnam a part of China for over a thousand years – independent in 10th century but highly influenced by Chinese culture)

Question 2

What was China’s relation with Vietnam in the 20th century? What actions defined their relationship and how did it change after the Sino-Soviet split?

Answer 2

• China provided support for Vietnam in its fight against French colonial rule after WW2
• During the Vietnam War China gave support to North Vietnam against the US:
  
  • Military supplies, air bases, manual labour to keep the railway lines open (no direct military intervention)
• BUT following Sino-Soviet split, North Vietnam lent more on the USSR

Question 3

Did China send military aid to Vietnam? If so, North or South, and why (or why not)?

Answer 3

• A political mess: China did not send direct military aid to North Vietnam:
• Followed a policy of non-intervention
• Didn’t want to be on same side as USSR
• Was trying to establish better relations with the US
• Vietnam resented the lack of support from China
• Ho Chi Minh favoured USSR communism than China’s communism; angered China
• By late 1960’s China viewed Vietnam’s actions as undermining Chinese leadership of the communist world (good relations w US at this point)

Question 4

In ________, ______ Vietnam was victorious.

Answer 4

1975; North (very embarrassing for the USA)

Question 5

After North Vietnam’s victory, who did they look to for a model of communism?

Answer 5

Modelled themselves off the Soviet Union in a clear ideological stance. Created further tensions with China

Question 6

In 19__, North Vietnam signed a ___________________ with the USSR.

Answer 6

1978. Treaty of friendship and Co-operation with the USSR

Question 7

Discuss China/Vietnam tensions over Cambodia.

Answer 7

Tensions over Cambodia:
* China was an ally of the Khmer Rouge government in Cambodia
* Vietnam was concerned about the genocide in Cambodia where 2m people were killed by the Khmer Rouge
* 1979: Vietnam invaded Cambodia to overthrow the brutal regime
* China suspected that Vietnam was trying to take control of Cambodia

Question 8

What happened in 1979 relating to Vietnam and China?

Answer 8

1979: Vietnam invaded Cambodia to overthrow the brutal regime. China suspected that Vietnam was trying to take control of Cambodia.

1979: China invaded northern part of Vietnam:
* Invasion force of 200 000 Chinese troops
* Fierce clashes with Vietnamese army for about a month
* Chinese were forced back - claimed to have “taught Vietnam a lesson” and withdrew

Question 9

What did the brief war between China and Vietnam go to show?

Answer 9

The war showed that, although both states were communist, local issues could be a source of conflict and they were willing to go into active warfare.

Question 10

What happened in 1949 in China?

Answer 10

CCP had fought a long civil war against the Nationalists.
1949: After the CCP victory, the Nationalists withdrew to
the island of Taiwan with about 1,5 million people.
* They set up the ‘Republic of China’ (ROC)
* The leader was Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek)
* They refused to recognise the PRC in mainland China
* The US supported this view

Question 11

The PRC viewed Taiwan as a …?

Answer 11

breakaway province of China

Question 12

Who did the UN and most countries recognise as the govt of China? How did this effect the PRC/Taiwan relationship?

Answer 12

The UN and most countries recognised the communist government in Beijing as the government of China

However, the US and its close allies (including SA) recognised Taiwan as the legitimate government of China

The US used its influence to bar the PRC from joining the UN

Tensions between China and Taiwan remained high

Question 13

Why did the US use its power to support and protect Taiwan?

Answer 13

The reigning govt on the Chinese mainland was communist (PRC). It was directly related to Cold War politics.

Question 14

The US used its power to support/protect Taiwan. How did they do this?

Answer 14

• The United States signed a Mutual Defence Treaty with the ROC in
  1954, promising to defend Taiwan from communist aggression.
• US navy patrolled the South China Sea between China and Taiwan
• US also built missile bases on Taiwan

Question 15

What occurred between Taiwan/China in 1958?

Answer 15

1958: China fired on Taiwanese islands (Quemoy and Matsu)
* US threatened war with China to protect Taiwan (Cold War politics, use Nuclear threats)
* But US also persuaded Taiwan not to retaliate
* This heightened militarization in the Taiwan Strait.
* It deepened Cold War divisions, reinforced Taiwan’s dependency on
U.S. military support

Question 16

How did international recognition of China’s true govt change in the 1970’s?

Answer 16

In the 1970s, international recognition began to shift in favour of the PRC due to:
- The PRC’s growing geopolitical importance and population size
- The desire of many countries to engage with China economically and diplomatically
- Improved relations between China and the USA

Question 17

What were the biggest moments of the 70’s between China, the US and Taiwan?

Answer 17

1971: The People’s Republic of China was awarded China’s seat at the United Nations, replacing the ROC.

1972: Nixon visited China: acknowledged the “One China” principle but allowed room
for ambiguity about Taiwan’s status.

1979: The US formally recognised the PRC as the sole legal government of China and severed official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, although it passed the Taiwan Relations Act to maintain unofficial ties and commit to Taiwan’s self-defence.

Question 18

How are tensions between China and Taiwan today?

Answer 18

Tensions are high, and have increased in recent years.

Question 19

How did China become to global superpower it is today? (Warning for pretty long answer)

Answer 19

1950s: China’s foundations for economic growth were established (despite setbacks and failures of the Great Leap Forward).
After Sino-Soviet split, China and USSR competed for influence in
Africa:
* China supported liberation groups such as PAC, FNLA
* China built Tan-Zam railway (linking Zambian Copperbelt to coast at
Dar-es-Salaam)

1964: China developed its own nuclear capability, which caused concern to both US and USSR.

1971: US stopped opposition to China’s membership of UN:
* China joined the UN and became one of 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council

1976: By time of Mao’s death, China was seen as a major world power. In next few decades, China became a third ‘superpower.’

Question 20

China saw itself as a model communist state for developing countries. Why?

Answer 20

China saw itself as a model communist state for developing countries:

Believed that China’s policies were more suited to developing
economies with large rural populations

Also felt that China had more in common with former colonies
because of shared experiences of Western imperialism

Question 21

When was the establishment of the CCP, and what does that stand for? Which significant leader was in the party?

Answer 21

1921: Establishment of Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Mao Ze Dong was one of its leaders

Question 22

When was the Chinese civil war? Why did it stop?

Answer 22

1927- 37: Long civil war between CCP and Nationalists (the Kuomintang – KMT – led by Chiang Kai-shek). Paused due to WW2.

Question 23

What happened in China when WW2 hit?

Answer 23

During WW2, KMT and CCP briefly allied to fight against Japanese invasion (1937 – 1945).
KMT bore the brunt of conventional fighting, while the CCP was mostly in rural areas using guerrilla warfare – gained lots of support (land
reform etc).

Question 24

What happened immediately after the end of WW2 in China?

Answer 24

After Japanese defeat in 1945, civil war resumed.
* 1949: CCP won and established People’s Republic of China (PRC)
* Nationalists established separate government on island of Taiwan (Nationalist China)
* West supported Nationalist China and refused to recognise the PRC

Question 25

What happened to China after the CCP's victory?

Answer 25

* Established People’s Republic of China (PRC) * China became a one-party state * Mao had enormous power – cult of ‘Maoism’

Question 26

How did Mao change China after he came to power? What plans did he make?

Answer 26

* Five Year Plan to industrialise economy * ‘Great Leap Forward’ to transform rural areas * Private ownership abolished * Opposition to new policies crushed * Great Leap Forward a failure - serious famine * Mao blamed for its failure

Question 27

How were relations between the USSR and China initially after Mao came into power? Substantiate.

Answer 27

At first relations between China and the USSR were good: * USSR welcomed China as a communist ally * 1950: Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance * USSR sent aid, advisors, technicians, equipment * Both supported North Korea in the Korean War (1950-53) * Both were concerned about the US and its anti-communist alliances in Asia

Question 28

What was the USSR's interpretation of communism?

Answer 28

* Urban-based revolution based on the actions of the proletariat * 1953: Stalin dies and Khrushchev takes over * Believed that ‘continuous revolution’ would be destructive * Khrushchev proposed ‘peaceful co-existence’ with West * Launched a ‘de-Stalinisation’ of the Soviet Union & communist movements (Mao not happy)

Question 29

What was China's interpretation of communism?

Answer 29

* Rural-based revolution based on the support of the peasants * Mao wanted revolution to continue until communist goals achieved * Mao accused USSR of ‘revisionism’ (revising ideas of Marx and Lenin) * Mao strongly offended by ‘de-Stalinisation’

Question 30

What did the differing understandings of communism result in? What other reasons were there for the USSR and China to have tensions?

Answer 30

Different interpretations of communism created tensions. Other reasons for tensions between China and USSR: * Disputes over territory along long border * China believed it did not get enough aid from USSR * USSR criticised Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’ * USSR unwilling to share nuclear technology with China * Both powers were competing for influence in newly-independent countries in Asia and Africa

Question 31

1960 marked what for China?

Answer 31

The Sino-Soviet split

Question 32

When was the Sino-Soviet split?

Answer 32

1960

Question 33

What was the Sino-Soviet split? What happened?

Answer 33

1960: USSR suddenly withdrew advisors and cancelled aid * China accused Soviets of being a "social-imperialist" power—imperialist in behaviour but cloaked in socialist language * China criticised Khrushchev’s handling of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis * They backed opposing sides in a 1965 war between India (backed by USSR) and Pakistan (backed by China) * 1969: Border Clashes along the Ussuri River – nearly sparked full-scale war * Sino-Soviet split lasted until the 1990s

Question 34

The Sino-Soviet split lasted until the 19____.

Answer 34

1990's

Question 35

What happened relating to China in 1969?

Answer 35

1969: Border Clashes along the Ussuri River – nearly sparked full-scale war

Question 36

Why did the US oppose the new govt in 1949?

Answer 36

It was the beginning of the Cold War and the US was concerned about the spread of communism

Question 37

US had supported the ________ in the Chinese civil war

Answer 37

Nationalists

Question 38

How did the relationship between the USSR and China and the US and China differ (in a summary)?

Answer 38

USSR/China: Started friendly, grew hostile after death of Stalin and 'de-Stalinisation' US/China: Hostile beginnings, grew into allies through shared hatred of USSR and new leaders in China being less anti-Western

Question 39

What was the US/China relationship like during the 1950/60's?

Answer 39

Suspicion and tension were high

Question 40

Why were US/China relations tense in the mid 20th century?

Answer 40

* US believed that China was trying to spread communism in Asia * China was suspicious of US involvement in Asia * 1950-53: Tensions increased during the Korean War * China backed North Korea and US backed South Korea * US and Chinese troops came into direct conflict in the war * During Vietnam War, China supported North Vietnam against US * 1964: Successful nuclear test in China

Question 41

The US/China relations were initially hostile. What changed, and when?

Answer 41

In late 1960s and 1970s relations between China and the US started to improve because: * The Sino-Soviet split created increasing tensions between China and the USSR US setbacks and defeat in the Vietnam War * New leaders in China after the Cultural Revolution not as anti-Western Some of them called for ‘peaceful co-existence’ with the West

Question 42

The 70's saw the US/China ties getting even closer. What occurred?

Answer 42

1971: Visit of US table tennis team to China (‘Ping pong diplomacy’) 1971: US supported admission of China to UN and Security Council 1972: Visit of President Richard Nixon to China 1976: Visit of President Gerald Ford to China 1979: Mao’s successor, Deng Xiaoping, visited US 1979: US formally recognised PRC

Question 43

How is Tibet originally linked to China?

Answer 43

Tibet became a 'protectorate' of China in the 1700's.

Question 44

What is a protectorate?

Answer 44

state that is controlled and protected by a more powerful state

Question 45

When did Tibet declare independence? What happened?

Answer 45

1912. Tibet had its own government, military, flag, and foreign relations - however, no major world powers formally recognised Tibet as a sovereign state. Successive Chinese governments maintained Tibet was part of China and this was the international belief.

Question 46

When and why did the Chinese invade Tibet?

Answer 46

1950: Chinese army (People’s Liberation Army) invaded Tibet Reasons: * China had always regarded Tibet as part of China * Tibet had rich natural resources * Tibet was strategically placed on the western border of China

Question 47

What was the outcome of China's invasion of Tibet?

Answer 47

China and Tibet signed a Seventeen Point Agreement: * China to control external affairs and armed forces * Tibet given some autonomy, religious freedom, recognition of position of Dalai Lama * Tibet later rejected the Seventeen Point Agreement, and argued it was signed under duress and was illegitimate.

Question 48

What changed in Tibetan people's attitude after the Chinese invasion? What did this result in?

Answer 48

* After the 1950 invasion, there were tensions between the Tibetan people and Chinese troops. * There was also armed guerrilla resistance to Chinese control 1959: Uprising in Lhasa (capital of Tibet) * Crushed by Chinese army * Dalai Lama fled to India * He feared that the Chinese would arrest and assassinate him (an entirely valid fear)

Question 49

Discuss Tibet since 1959

Answer 49

* Tibet was placed under direct Chinese control and formally designated the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in 1965 * Contact between Tibet and the outside world was forbidden * Many Chinese moved into Tibet * Many Buddhist temples and monasteries were destroyed by the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution - they banned religious practice, and persecuted monks and nuns. Extreme attempts to erase Tibetan religious and cultural life in the name of socialist transformation. * Tibetans in exile protested about the destruction of their culture and religion * They wanted independence and the restoration of the Dalai Lama

Question 50

What created tensions between India and China relating to Tibet?

Answer 50

Many Tibetan leaders and officials went into exile in Northern India with the Dalai Lama. This created tensions between China and India, and between China and the West.

Question 51

What did Dalai Lama receive for his efforts to liberate Tibet?

Answer 51

The Dalai Lama was awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to find a peaceful solution for the liberation of Tibet

Question 52

Describe India and China's relations in the mid 20th century. Substantiate.

Answer 52

It was positive: * India was one of the first countries to recognise the PRC * In 1954, the two countries signed the Panchsheel Agreement (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence), was meant to guide their relations: mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence.

Question 53

How did India/China's relationship develop over time?

Answer 53

Tensions started rising and it became increasingly hostile due to tensions over two border areas and Tibet.

Question 54

Why did the ties between India and China sour?

Answer 54

* India and China never agreed on a formal border in the Himalayas during the colonial or Republican period * When the British left in 1947, India inherited borders based on British colonial maps – China never recognised these borders * Territories included in India, but China regarded them as part of the PRC * 1959: Relations got worse after the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees fled to India: - China believed that they were plotting against the PRC and that India was supporting them * 1962: Brief war between China and India (Sino-Indian War): - India built military garrisons in the two areas to protect them - Chinese army moved into the two disputed border areas - India received military support form both US and USSR - War ended in a compromise - But tensions remained high

Question 55

When China and India went to their brief war, what did it show?

Answer 55

They were both willing to go into active conflict

Question 56

Who was the leader of the ROC and what does that stand or?

Answer 56

They set up the ‘Republic of China’ (ROC). The leader was Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek)

Question 57

Describe China and India's brief war.

Answer 57

1962: Brief war between China and India (Sino-Indian War): - India built military garrisons in the two areas to protect them - Chinese army moved into the two disputed border areas - India received military support form both US and USSR - War ended in a compromise

Question 58

Discuss China's emerging nuclear capability in the mid 20th century.

Answer 58

1964: China developed its own nuclear capability, which caused concern to both US and USSR.

Question 59

How did the USSR and China compete in Africa?

Answer 59

After Sino-Soviet split, China and USSR competed for influence in Africa: * China supported liberation groups such as PAC, FNLA * China built Tan-Zam railway (linking Zambian Copperbelt to coast at Dar-es-Salaam)