Title: The%20Cold%20War%20-%20China
1The Cold War - China
2Conflict 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
3Conflict 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
4Tibet (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
5Korean 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
6Effects 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
7Vietnam (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
8SEATO Countries
9Quemoy 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
10Quemoy 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
11Results 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
12Cultural 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
13U.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)
14Chinese 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
15Sino-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
16Sino-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
17Results 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
18Results 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