International relations 52-76 - more

Question 1

What were the two drawbacks of the Korean War on China?

Answer 1

1) China suffered heavy losses.
2) It had a great strain on the Chinese economy.

Question 2

What did China gain from the Korean War (2)?

Answer 2

1) Confidence and prestige by standing up to a better-equipped US-led UN force, whilst the PLA had no
support from the USSR.
2) They claimed to be the leader of anti-imperialist movements globally - this was purely symbolic.

Question 3

When did the USA sign a mutual defence treaty with Taiwan?

Answer 3

December 1954.

Question 4

Why did Sino-American tensions increase in 1957?

Answer 4

The USA stationed ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads in Taiwan, pointed at the Chinese
mainland.

Question 5

How did America try to damage China economically?

Answer 5

May 1951 - they put a trade embargo on China until ‘72

Question 6

How significant was Zhou Enlai as Foreign Minister in the period 1952-1962?

Answer 6

Zhou was successful in portraying China as peaceful in contrast to America’s aggressive policies. At the 1954
Geneva conference, Zhou’s offer of a handshake was refused by John Foster Dulles (USA Secretary of State).

Question 7

How did China aid the Vietminh against the French?

Answer 7

The PRC provided military aid in the form of weaponry and bases to operate from across the border.

Question 8

Why did fighting resume in Vietnam in 1956?

Answer 8

The peace agreement was not accepted by the government of South Vietnam, so the elections never took
place, and the Civil War resumed.

Question 9

How and why did China begin aiding the Vietminh in North Vietnam in 1962?

Answer 9

By 1962, USA involvement on the side of South Vietnam started, so Mao agreed to supply weapons to the North Vietnamese.

Question 10

When did India gain independence from Great Britain?

Answer 10

1947.

Question 11

Why did Sino-Indian relations deteriorate in the mid 1950s?

Answer 11

In an attempt to consolidate control over Tibet, the PRC began the building of a new road linking Tibet with
the rest of China. However, this road crossed territory claimed by India, leading to border clashes in 1956.

Question 12

Why did Tibetans revolt against China in 1959?

Answer 12

The Chinese were trying to undermine Tibetan culture, with the Han Chinese being encouraged to settle on
Tibetan land, and there were attacks on Buddhist monasteries.

Question 13

Explain the PLA offensive against India (2)?

Answer 13

1) In 1962, the PLA launched an offense on Indian forces on the disputed border. The Chinese advanced into
India, taking the territory they claimed as their own in a few weeks.
2) They then declared a ceasefire. There was no formal peace agreement nor a formal declaration of war.

Question 14

What was ‘peaceful co-existence’?

Answer 14

A theory put forward by Khrushchev in 1960, that despite ideological differences, communist and capitalist states
could co-exist.

Question 15

How were the PRC dependant on the USSR after 1949 (3)?

Answer 15

1) The First Five Year Plan required thousands of Soviet experts to implement.
2) Soviet loans helped fund China’s economic development.
3) Mao needed Soviet support to make China a nuclear power.

Question 16

Why were there tensions between the PRC and the USSR prior to 1957 (7)?

Answer 16

1) Soviet aid was provided at a high cost, with loans to be repaid fully and with interest.
2) The Sino-Soviet Treaty in 1950 gave the USSR the ability to exploit mineral resources in parts of China -
similar to the ‘unequal treaties’ of the 19th Century.
3) Stalin treated Mao as an inferior, causing offense.
4) Ideological differences between the two nations.
5) Khrushchev’s 1956 speech denouncing Stalin indirectly attacked Mao’s style of leadership.
6) Mao believed the doctrine of ‘peaceful co-existence’ showed Khrushchev’s lack of commitment to the
spread of global communism.
7) Mao believed the Hungarian and Polish revolts in 1956 showed that the USSR had become divorced from
the people.

Question 17

Why did Sino-Soviet relations worsen in 1957?

Answer 17

The USSR proposed a joint Chinese-Soviet submarine force in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Mao suspected
that the USSR were trying to take control of the Chinese navy, and grew suspicious that Soviet technical
advisors were spies.

Question 18

How did Mao humiliate Khrushchev when the Soviet leader came to Beijing in the summer of 1958 (4)?

Answer 18

1) Khrushchev received a mediocre welcome.
2) Mao put Khrushchev in an old hotel, with no air conditioning, in the hot Chinese summer.
3) Mao refused Khrushchev’s joint defence initiative, wagging his finger in his face, and chain smoked around him (Khrushchev hated smoking).
4) Mao held a day of talks in his private pool - and Khrushchev could not swim, having to use a flotation device in the pool.

Question 19

Why did Sino-Soviet relations worsen in 1958?

Answer 19

The PLA bombarded the island of Quemoy (GMD held) and built up forces along the Taiwan straight for an apparent invasion. The USA prepared for war with China. Mao withdrew Chinese forces, blaming the failure of the invasion on the lack of support from the USSR.

Question 20

Why did Sino-Soviet relations worsen in 1960 (2)?

Answer 20

1) Soviet criticisms of the GLF resulted in the withdrawal of 10000 Soviet experts from China.
2) Both countries were vying for the position of leader of world communism.

Question 21

Why did diplomatic relations end between China and the USSR in 1961?

Answer 21

When Albania broke away from the Soviet Union in 1961, China provided Albania with technical and
financial aid, ending diplomatic relations between China and the USSR.

Question 22

What were the differing views on foreign relations during the Cultural Revolution (2)?

Answer 22

1) Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi (Foreign Minister of the PRC from 1958-1972) took a pragmatic approach to foreign affairs.
2) The radicals wanted China to encourage revolution in developing countries in Africa and Asia, and to
adopt a confrontational approach to Western powers.

Question 23

How did the Red Guards impact China internationally, before the purge of the Red Guards in the summer of
1967 (4)?

Answer 23

1) In 1967, the Red Guard occupied the Foreign Ministry in Beijing, destroying many of its records.
2) In August 1967, the British and Indonesian embassies were burned down, with many diplomats badly
beaten by Red Guards.
3) Red Guards attempted to export revolution, sending Mao badges and Little Red Books to foreign
embassies. Attempts to distribute this material in Kenya led to the expulsion of Chinese diplomats. Similar
situations occurred in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
4) There were serious disputes with Burma and Cambodia over the support given by the Chinese to
Communist rebels in the countries.

Question 24

Explain the border clash between China and the USSR on Zhenbao Island (March 1969) (3)?

Answer 24

1) Throughout the 1960s as relations had deteriorated, both sides had strengthened their forces on the
borders. In March 1969, fighting broke out o Zhenbao Island in the Ussuri River in north-eastern China.
2) Evidence points to China being the initiators of the conflict, with Lin Biao orchestrating it to gain political
advantage for himself in China. By being on the brink of war, Lin Biao was able to stress the role of the PLA,
and justify its growing influence in politics.
3) The fighting only lasted a few days, resulting in Chinese forces being expelled from Zhenbao Island.

Question 25

Explain the border clash between China and the USSR on China’s north-western frontier in Xinjiang (August 1969)?

Answer 25

In Xinjiang, fighting broke out between Soviet and Chinese forces. The Soviet Prime Minister, Kosygin, visited Beijing in September 1969, for talks with Zhou Enlai. Although no agreement was reached, the sides agreed to further talks, avoiding the prospect of all-out war between the two.

Question 26

What was the impact of China’s border disputes in the 1960s with the USSR on foreign and defence policy (2)?

Answer 26

1) Mao’s Third Line defence project had been sited in Western China, far from the coast, in anticipation for an American invasion. The border clashes in 1969 showed that the most likely aggressor was the USSR, and the Third Line was vulnerable. 2) After 1969, many in the Chinese leadership, including Mao, concluded that China needed to improve relations with the USA, as a counter-weight to the threat of the USSR.

Question 27

What was the state of the PRC and the USA’s international relationship before 1966 (3)?

Answer 27

1) After 1949, the PRC and the USA had no formal relationship, with tensions increased by the Korean War, disputes over Taiwan and the Vietnam War. 2) Some contact was maintained through the American and Chinese embassies in Warsaw, but most of the talks between ambassadors were angry exchanged over Taiwan. 3) Pakistan acted as an intermediary on several occasions.

Question 28

How did Sino-American relations improve 1966-70?

Answer 28

1) The USA saw the conflict between China and the USSR as an opportunity to exploit for the global balance in the Cold War. 2) In 1966, America invited Chinese scientists to visit the USA. China rejected this offer, but became more receptive to improved relations in 1969. 3) China realised that they could not afford to be at odds with both superpowers, brought to light by the border clashes with the USSR. 4) Chinese engineers and scientists reported that they needed access to the more advanced technology of the West if they were to fully exploit China’s mineral resources. During 1970, China, through the intermediary of Pakistan, indicated to the USA that they were open to possible talks.

Question 29

How did China and America resolve the issue of the status of Taiwan in October 1971 (2)?

Answer 29

1) Since 1949, the USA had recognised the GMD government of Taiwan as the legitimate government of China, upholding their right to occupy the Chinese seat at the UN. 2) This changed after Kissinger’s visit, as when Taiwan’s seat was debated at the UN General Assembly in October 1971, and a majority voted for the PRC to take the seat, the USA did not stand in the way. The Taiwanese delegation was expelled from the UN, and replaced by a PRC delegation.

Question 30

What was the significance of Nixon’s visit to China for international relations (2)?

Answer 30

1) It ended a 23 year diplomatic freeze between the PRC and the US, setting in motion a process of restoring diplomatic relations. 2) It affirmed both powers wanted to reduce the danger of global war.

Question 31

What issues were not resolved between China and the USA during Nixon’s visit (2)?

Answer 31

1) There was no agreement on the future status of Taiwan. 2) China refused to help the USA bring an end to the Vietnam War.

Question 32

What was the international state of China at the time of Mao’s death (4)?

Answer 32

1) China had regained its self respect, and was regarded by many as a world power. This is because they had acquired nuclear bombs, although they were yet to develop the systems needed to launch them. 2) Nixon’s meeting with Mao in 1972 was on Mao’s terms, described as ‘an imperial audience’. 3) China had recently gained a seat at the UN, and in the wake of Nixon’s visit, heads of government from Britain and Japan visited China. 4) China had recently established relations with West Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Question 33

What and when was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 33

October 1962. A crisis when the USA discovered USSR nuclear warheads in Cuba, 90 miles from US mainland. Kennedy threatened Khrushchev with war if they were not removed, and Khrushchev eventually did.

Question 34

What was the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?

Answer 34

An agreement between the main nuclear powers to stop nuclear testing in the atmosphere (1963).

Question 35

Why did Sino-Soviet relations worsen in 1962-63 (4)?

Answer 35

1) The Cuban Missile Crisis. 2) The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. 3) Xinjiang border dispute. 4) The provision of USSR military aircrafts and diplomatic support to India against China in 1962.

Question 36

Why did Mao criticise the USSR’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis (2)?

Answer 36

1) He believed that the USSR acted recklessly placing the missiles in Cuba. 2) He criticised Khrushchev for withdrawing under US pressure, seeing it as a surrender.

Question 37

What were the origins of the Xinjiang border dispute (C1949-C1960)?

Answer 37

After the CCP victory in 1949, the PRC and the USSR had an agreement to cooperate to develop Xinjiang’s mineral wealth. Soviet experts and the Chinese worked together 1950-55, until the joint projects were ended by the Chinese. The Soviets withdrew.

Question 38

What were the events of the Xinjiang border dispute (1962-64)?

Answer 38

1) In 1962, approx. 60,000 Uighurs fled to Soviet Tajikistan to escape the severe famine. 2) China accused the USSR of deliberately encouraging this to destabilise Chinese control of Xinjiang. 3) In 1964, both sides agreed to settle the border dispute, but both increased military presence along the border. These negotiations lasted many years.

Question 39

What were the key nuclear developments in China (1957-69) (5)?

Answer 39

1) In 1957, the USSR and China signed an agreement where the USSR would help China to develop their own nuclear weaponry. 2) After the Soviet experts were withdrawn in 1960, Chinese scientists, at Qinghai and Ningxia continued their research. 3) In 1964, China underwent its first test explosion of an atomic bomb, and in 1967 tested a more powerful hydrogen bomb. 4) China carried out these tests in the atmosphere, as they had not signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. 5) The USSR were concerned that China had upset the strategic balance of the world. In 1969, it is reported the USSR was considering a nuclear strike on China during a period of border clashes.

Question 40

What and when was the Golf of Tonkin incident, and what was its significance?

Answer 40

A clash between an American warship (supported by aircraft) and North Vietnamese naval ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, just off the Vietnamese coast (1964). After this, the US Congress authorised President Johnson to increase US involvement in Vietnam, committing army, airforce, and naval units to fight alongside the South Vietnamese against the Vietcong.

Question 41

Why were the Chinese cautious in their approach to the Vietnam War, providing no direct military involvement (3)?

Answer 41

1) They did not want a South Vietnam/USA capitalist victory. 2) They did not really want a North Vietnam victory either, the close ties to the USSR. 3) They did not want a repeat of the Korean War, where the USSR had started it, but left China to do most of the fighting.

Question 42

How did the PRC aid North Vietnam (4)?

Answer 42

1) They trained North Vietnamese pilots. 2) They supplied the North Vietnamese with arms. 3) As war escalated in 1965, they sent anti-aircraft and engineering units of the PLA to North Vietnam to help with defence and prepare damages. 4) The Chinese units freed North Vietnamese soldiers, but the Chinese troops were not directly involved in the fighting.

Question 43

How did the escalation of the Vietnam War in 1965 create divisions in the PRC leadership?

Answer 43

They did not like the prospect of being drawn into the War, especially amongst military leadership. Lin Biao wanted to focus on increasing the role of the PLA in politics, and remould the PLA to become more Maoist. He saw the War as a distraction.