China and the Cold War

China became Communist in 1949.Truman was going to recognize China’s Communist Government (PRC) in 1950, but what happened?- Korean War - Chinese invasion of Tibet- McCarthyism (Red Scare)

- Taiwan

Most of the tension that took place between China and the US was about Taiwan.

Communist China wanted full possession and control of Taiwan.Communist China shelled the Taiwanese Islands of Matsu and Quemoy. The US threatened to use nukes if the Chinese attacked.

Instead of recognizing mainland China, Truman recognized the anti-communist government in Taiwan.Taiwan got China’s Security Council seat at the UN.

Taiwan Strait Crisis

(1954-1955)

Second Taiwan Strait Crisis (1958)

The United States had signed a defensive alliance with Taiwan in 1954 and did not want to back down and look weak.

China fired over 450,000 shells on Quemoy.

Sino-Soviet Cold War relations. (China-USSR)

Many people in the West assumed that China took orders from Moscow.

Many Americans thought all communist countries were interlinked and monolithic.

China helped the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. This increased tensions with United States.

US government officials did not pay too much attention to the Sino-Soviet relationship until the late 60’s.

Ping Pong Diplomacy

Why did the USA want Détente with the PRC?

- Containment not possible. Needed PRC to help negotiate an exit strategy.- Place pressure on Soviet-American détente efforts.

- Nixon wanted to ‘make history’.

- Public support from Americans for different policy due to Vietnam War.- PRC had ICBM capability. Dangerous to not have contact.- Reduce commitments in Asia (Save money and resources through peace)

US and Chinese relations improved in 1971, during the World Ping Pong Championships in Japan.

An American player missed his bus back to the hotel and was invited on the Chinese bus.During the exchange, the American ping pong team was invited to Beijing to play.

Kissinger later made a secret trip to China in 1971 and talked to Chinese leadership.

Nixon went to China in 1972 and met with Mao Zedong.

China-US Detente

- UN Membership (Security Council Seat)

What benefit did China gain from détente with the United States?

- Better Relations with Japan -1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship

Takeo Fukuda

What did the US gain from détente with the PRC?

- End to the Vietnam War

China’s improved relations with the US put pressure on the USSR to get North Vietnam to negotiate.

US /China vs. USSR/ Vietnam?

- Trade with China

PRC and the Cold War

China was a significant factor in the development of the Cold War.Its role changed over time

China’s influence grew with its nuclear power status, hostile relationship with the USSR, and rapprochement (détente) with the USA.The Cold War shifted from a Bi-Polar war to a Tri-Polar conflict.