YIJC JC2 H1 History Notes (Sino-Soviet & Sino-American relations)

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 1 YIJC H1 HISTORY GCE A LEVEL THEME II (Syllabus: 8838) THE COLD WAR & EAST ASIA: 1945 – 1991 1 CHAPTER 1 – CHINA & THE COLD WAR: 1950 - 1991 a) Development of Sino-Soviet Relations i. Cooperation: Treaty of Friendship (1950) & Korean War (1950 – 1953) ii. Worsening: Romanian Workers’ Party Congress (1960) & Border Conflict (1969) iii. Rapprochement & Normalisation: Summit (1989) iv. Factors Shaping Relations: Security Interests, Ideology, Developments in Superpower & Sino US Relations b) Development of Sino-US Relations I. Confrontation: Korean War (1950 – 1953), US Support for Taiwan II. Rapprochement & Normalisation: Nixon’s Visit to China (1972) and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (1979) III. Factors Shaping Relations: Security Interests, Ideology, Developments in Superpower & Sino Soviet Relations CHAPTER 2 – JAPAN & THE COLD WAR: 1952 - 1991 a) Development of Japan: US Relations i. Alliance & Tensions: Security Alliance, Share of Defence Burden, Economic Relations (Aid, Trade, Market Access) ii. Factors Shaping Relations: Japan’s Economic Status, Japan’s Domestic Politics (Differences over Japan’s Alliance with US, Role of Japan’s Security Forces, Consensus on Nuclear Weapons), Japan’s Perceptions of Communist Threat, US Cold War Strategy b) Japan’s Other Responses to Cold War I. Political Responses: Impact of Relations, Engagement of China II. Economic Responses: Impact of Relations, Engagement of China & SEA 1 https://www.timemaps.com/history/east-asia-1960ad/

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 2 CHAPTER 1 – CHI NA & THE COLD WAR: 1950 - 1991 a) Development of Sino-Soviet Relations i. Cooperation: Treaty of Friendship (1950) & Korean War (1950 – 1953) ii. Worsening: Romanian Workers’ Party Congress (1960) & Border Conflict (1969) iii. Rapprochement & Normalisation: Summit (1989) iv. Factors Shaping Relations: Security Interests, Ideology, Developments in Superpower & Sino US Relations b) Development of Sino-US Relations I. Confrontation: Korean War (1950 – 1953), US Support for Taiwan II. Rapprochement & Normalisation: Nixon’s Visit to China (1972) and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (1979) III. Factors Shaping Relations: Security Interests, Ideology, Developments in Superpower & Sino Soviet Relations This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 3 2 2 chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/alevel/2024syllabus/8838_y24_sy.pdf

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 4 OVERVIEW OF CHINA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH US & USSR IDEOLOGICAL BONDS & THEORY: NOT DETERMINISTIC CHINA – US Ideological stereotypes of the inherent global clash between Communism and Capitalism sowed fear and tension as each side believed that the other will set out to destroy them. CHINA – USSR Ideological stereotypes of the inherent global clash between Communism and Capitalism made China and USSR come together in partnership to strive to destroy the capitalists. UNDERLYING REALISTIC SECURITY & STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS: POWER & RESPECT CHINA – US → Feared a repeat of Korean War movement of US forces near China’s borders → China wanted to gain back Taiwan & recognition of ‘One China’ → China wanted US help to counter Soviet threat and to consolidate China’s resources → US wanted to get out of Vietnam → US & China wanted economic gains. CHINA – USSR → China initially wanted Soviet assistance → China did not want to be bullied as in 1950 → China deserves to lead the World Communist Movement according to China’s version and strategy over ideology. → China wanted safety after border clashes → China wanted to use US against USSR and focus on conserving its resources against USSR given the border threat. CHINA – USSR CHINA - US 1950s Started with “Friendship” in Appearance: 1950 Treaty Intensified over time to growing mistrust and conflict from 1956 → Personality Clash with Khrushchev → Ideo Direction & Strategy → Leadership & Respect Globally Started with Hostility in Appearance & Reality → Ideo beliefs and stereotype → Taiwan & Tibet Intensified over time after Korean War → Direct fighting after Yalu River incident → Taiwan → UN Membership & Trade 1960s Continuation of Personality Clash → Mao vs Khrushchev Worsening Split and Rivalry → Diplomatic Split → Military Clash → Desire for Power & Respect Continued Tensions & Rivalry → Taiwan & Vietnam → Decolonization Movements in 3rd World → China’s Cultural Revolution chaos Increased Realization of Mutual Needs & Benefits by 1969 given Urgent Context to both sides → Vietnam War Struggles by US → Worsening Security from Sino-Soviet clash → Cultural Revolution Chaos in PRC 1970s & 1980s Continuation of Split & Differences China worked with US to counter Soviet influence Normalisation in 1989 after Gorbachev- Deng Xiaoping Summit in Beijing Adoption of Realpolitik to gradually become ‘friends’ for Mutual Benefits & Respect Differences Remain BUT were put aside to work on Common Benefits to the unhappiness of allies

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 5 Chapter 1A: Development of Sino-Soviet Relations Positive to Negative Deterioration: Why / How / Effects / Expected? 1950s Cooperation (Stalin & Mao) 1950 Treaty of Friendship Korean War: 1950 – 1953 1950s 1960s 1970s Worsening (Khrushchev & Mao) (Khrushchev / Brezhnev & Mao / Deng) 1960 Romanian Workers’ Party Congress 1969 Border Conflict 1989 Rapprochement & Normalisation (Gorbachev & Deng) 1989 Summit Inquiry - Deeper Thinking & Critique a) Were they even close and equal in their ‘friendship’ in 1950?? b) Unhappiness over Subordinated Position? In times of crisis, the Soviet Union’s leaders were capable of shelving ideological affinity, and act on strictly pragmatic realist calculations. The Sino-Soviet conflict created that kind of crisis: Moscow Beijing Ironically played power politics against a former comrade in arms still bound to the USSR by a 1950 treaty of alliance. Placed national interests above the global revolutionary dimensions of their foreign policy –willing to forsake Communist bloc unity and even work together with the USA in the 1970s in rapprochement against the USSR! A common ideology was devalued as a meaningful bond in Beijing and Moscow, and marked a turning point for the Cold War in complicating superpower relations as the three (US, USSR, China) tried to play each side against the other. The reasons that brought about this remarkable transformation in Sino-Soviet ties had deep roots. Security Interests Ideology Developments in Superpower & Sino- US Relations

Compiled by: Chris Loke (Jan 2024) 6 SINO-SOVIET RELATIONS OVER TIME CHANGE in China’s Attitude & Actions towards USSR CONTINUITY In China’s Attitude & Actions towards USSR • From Outward Reverence & Respect for Soviet leader Stalin → To Outright Disdain for Khrushchev over Ideological Direction, Foreign Policies & Personal Treatment • From Dependence on USSR → To a Firm Belief in Self Sufficiency without USSR • Belief in Ideological Strategy of the Impt of Peasants as the Basis to Revolution • Belief that the USSR should be firmer in confronting the US in the Cold War • Belief that the USSR should respect China COOPERATION WORSENING RAPPROACHEMENT & NORMALISATION Common Ideological Bonds & China’s Need for Recognition & Assistance • 1950 Treaty of Friendship • 1950 – 1953: Korean War (Common Enemy: South Korea & US / UN army) Do not be simplistic: In reality…. - Unequal relationship as China was treated as a subordinate Ideological bonds could not hold the rela