The%20Cold%20War%20-%20China

1
The Cold War - China
2
Conflict Between the U.S. and China Begins

• During the Sino-Japanese War, we gave some
  military aid to both the CCP and the
  Nationalists, but most went to the Nationalists
• When the Civil War resumed, the U.S. gave
  assistance to the Nationalists

3
Conflict Between the U.S. and China Begins

• When Mao took power in 1949, the U.S. refused to
  recognize the Peoples Republic of China (PRC)
• Instead, they backed the Nationalists who fled to
  Taiwan
• The U.S. made sure that Taiwan was given Chinas
  seat at the UN

4
Tibet (1950)

• The U.S. condemned the PRC for what it perceived
  as expansionism, as well as the horrific
  bloodshed
• Mao had believed it was a domestic matter

5
Korean War (1950-53)

• In the Korean War, China would intervene in Korea
  by sending 300,000 volunteers and the drove the
  U.S. back beyond the 38th parallel
• The war would end at a stalemate around the same
  physical boundaries where it began

6
Effects of the Korean War on China

• The war strengthened alliances in the West, but
  alienated the Chinese and Soviets
• China held their own against UN/US forces, so
  they gained prestige
• As a result of the Korean War, Truman recognized
  only Taiwan as the real China and protected it
  with the 7th Fleet
• China obtained loans and technical assistance
  from the Soviets (engaged in the first 5-Year
  Plan)
• China became disillusioned with the Soviets
  because they sold them military equipment at high
  prices

7
Vietnam (1954)

• China gave support and aid to Ho Chi Minh in the
  war against France
• They felt betrayed when the U.S. did not keep to
  the agreement by failing to hold promised
  elections in 1954
• In the same year, the U.S. created the South-East
  Asia Organization (SEATO) to contain China and
  signed a defense treaty with Taiwan

8
SEATO Countries
9
Quemoy and Matsu(1954 58)

• In response to Chiangs attacks on the mainland,
  the Communists bombarded two nationalist-held
  islands (Quemoy and Matsu)
• In response
• Chiangs airforce bombed the mainland
• Eisenhower threatened the Chinese with nuclear
  weapons

10
Quemoy Matsu

• In May 1957, the U.S. supplied the Nationalists
  on Taiwan with missiles capable of reaching the
  mainland and carrying nuclear warheads
• In 1958, Mao again bombarded the two islands, and
  China was again threatened with nuclear weapons
• The USSR didnt give the Chinese nuclear weapons
  technology as they had agreed
• The U.S. continued to fortify Taiwan as a
  military base, and used it to conduct illegal
  flights over Chinese territory by U-2 spy planes

11
Results of Quemoy and Matsu

• A trade embargo with the PRC
• Obstruction of PRC entry into the UN
• Huge economic and military aid to Taiwan
• A regional containment bloc - SEATO

12
Cultural Revolution (1966-68)

• To the U.S., it was a clear demonstration of the
  out of control fanaticism of the Maoist
  leadership
• The Chinese increased the ferocity of their
  attacks on the U.S. and its allies, calling them
  capitalist running dogs

13
U.S. Reasons for Sino-American Rapprochement or
Détente

• Sought help in getting out of Vietnam
• Realized their policy of containment in China had
  failed
• Wished to be on good terms with a nuclear power
• Wished to cause anxiety to the Soviets
• Wanted to play off the fears of both the USSR and
  China
• It was a popular move in the U.S.
• They realized Communist movements around the
  world werent monolithic (created by the USSR or
  China)

14
Chinese Reasons for Sino-American Rapprochement
or Détente

• An American counterweight to Soviet hostility
• Concessions on the status of Taiwan
• Trade with the U.S. and its allies
• The transfer of modern technology
• UN membership
• U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam
• Worry about a strong Japan

15
Sino-American Rapprochement

• In March 1969, the U.S. lifted restrictions on
  its citizens to visit China
• In April, the trade embargo was eased
• In April 1971, a U.S. table tennis team was
  invited to play in China

16
Sino-American Rapprochement

• In October, the U.S. ended its veto on the entry
  of Communist China into the UN
• In February 1972, Nixon visited China
• In December/January 1978/79, President Carter
  withdrew recognition of Nationalist China and
  entered into full diplomatic relations with the
  Peoples Republic of China

17
Results of Sino-American Rapprochement for the
U.S.

• Good relations with China caused them to urge
  their ally, North Vietnam, to the negotiating
  table
• The weakening of the Soviet position in the
  world, making it more amenable to compromise
• The U.S. had less influence in Asia, which was a
  popular move

18
Results of Sino-American Rapprochement for China

• UN membership, which increased its prestige and
  influence, while decreasing its diplomatic
  isolation
• Acceptance of a One China policy by the U.S.
  and withdrawal of U.S. military installations
  from Taiwan
• Improved relations with the U.S. resulted in
  improved relations with Japan, who became their
  2nd largest trading partner
• Security from the danger of a U.S.-Soviet or
  Soviet attack