China's relations with Vietnam (6) Flashcards
(11 cards)
Why was there major tension in the Asian region after the Korean War?
After the Korean War, there was increasing foreign interest and involvement in southeast Asia: the West feared the spread of communism there, while the USSR and China feared being encircled by countries that were part of Western military alliances. As a result, there was intense rivalry between the superpowers in the region.
In earlier centuries there had been ___ ties between China and Vietnam. Parts of _____ Vietnam were ruled by China for many centuries, and the Vietnamese adopted many aspects of Chinese culture, such as ideas about ____, government and social organization.
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How did Vietnam become split up into 2 parts?
In the 19th century Vietnam became a French colony. After the Second World War, Vietnamese nationalists fought a war of resistance against the French and defeated them in 1954. After that, Vietnam was divided into two: communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam.
Who did America and China support during the Vietnam war?
When war broke out between the two sides, the USA became involved in helping South Vietnam. At first, North Vietnam depended on China for support and military supplies in the war against South Vietnam and the US.
What did Mao do in relation to Vietnam? (2)
China built air bases near the Vietnamese border to protect Chinese interests, and also sent Chinese workers to Vietnam to keep the railway lines to China open.
Why did Mao not want to provide further direct assistance to Vietnam?
However, Mao was reluctant to provide further direct assistance. This was partly because he did not want to send Chinese troops out of the country during the Cultural Revolution (when they were needed for his campaigns within China)
When Mao backed away from North Vietnam, who did they turn to?
As a result, North Vietnam increasingly turned to the USSR for support. This strengthened Mao’s decision not to get more involved as he was unwilling to support the Soviet Union (after the Sino-Soviet split).
What was the actual policy of China during Vietnam in spite of US claims?
So, in spite of American claims that China was trying to extend communism in southeast Asia, in reality China followed a policy of non-intervention during much of the Vietnam War. This was especially the case after 1970, when China was moving towards better relations with the USA.
Why were tensions between China and North Vietnam tense? (3)
- During the Vietnam War, relations between China and the North Vietnamese were sometimes tense; for example, North Vietnam criticized China over the Cultural Revolution. After North Vietnam won the war and united the two Vietnams as a communist state, relations with China did not improve.
- The close alliance of Vietnam with the Soviet Union was one reason for this hostility.
- In 1979, 200,000 Chinese troops invaded the northern part of Vietnam. They claimed that when Vietnam had invaded Cambodia (an ally of China) it was trying to establish Vietnamese control over the region.
- Disputes between Chinese merchants and local residents in northern Vietnam who thought the merchants were exploiting them.
What was the reality of the Vietnamese invading Cambodia?
In reality, the reason for the Vietnamese invasion was to overthrow the ruthless Khmer Rouge regime which was responsible for a genocide in which millions of Cambodian people died.
What showed local issues had the potential to cause conflict between them?
The invading Chinese troops were forced back after fierce clashes with the Vietnamese army. This showed that although both countries were communist, local issues had the potential to cause conflict between them.
