US-China Relations: Challenges 1950-1963
TITLE
Assess the obstacles to improving relations between the US and China in the period 1950–63.
ESSAY
Title: Obstacles to Improving Relations between the US and China (1950-1963)
Introduction:
The period of 1950-1963 witnessed numerous obstacles that hindered the improvement of relations between the United States and China. Factors such as the Communist victory of 1949, the political climate of McCarthyism, differing stances on Taiwan, and the Korean War significantly contributed to the strained relationship between the two nations during this era. This essay will explore these obstacles and their impact on bilateral relations.
Body:
1. Communist Victory and McCarthyism:
- The shock of the Communist victory in China in 1949 created apprehension and skepticism within the United States.
- The political climate of McCarthyism, characterized by anti-communist sentiments and witch hunts, hindered any possibility of fostering a constructive relationship between the nations.
- McCarthy's accusations of communist infiltration further reinforced the perception that China posed a significant threat to US interests.
2. US Recognition of Taiwan:
- The US recognition of Taiwan as the legitimate government of China instead of the Communist state on the mainland presented a major obstacle in bilateral relations.
- This decision deepened the ideological divide and prevented any meaningful dialogue between the US and the People's Republic of China (PRC).
3. Korean War:
- The Korean War (1950-1953) intensified US concerns about China's potential to spread communism in the region.
- The military clashes between US forces and Chinese volunteers during the war highlighted the perceived threat posed by China.
- As a result, the US withdrew its citizens from China, increased support for Taiwan, and established a military assistance group on the island.
4. Taiwan:
- Taiwan became a significant obstacle to improving US-China relations during this period.
- The policy of containment was applied to Taiwan, with the US providing military support to counter any potential communist threat.
- The heightened tensions were evident at the Geneva Conference in 1954, where US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles refused to acknowledge the presence of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
5. Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution:
- Internal events in China, such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), further complicated relations.
- The failures of the Great Leap Forward and the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution undermined hopes of treating China diplomatically like other world powers.
- The US perceived these events as confirming their fears about China and its communist ideology.
6. Split between China and the USSR:
- The split between China and the Soviet Union, which emerged in the late 1950s, raised doubts about a monolithic Communist bloc.
- However, ideological concerns and the fear of appearing "soft on communism" prevented the US from capitalizing on this division.
Conclusion:
The period of 1950-1963 presented significant obstacles to improving relations between the US and China. The shock of the Communist victory in 1949, the political climate of McCarthyism, differing stances on Taiwan, the Korean War, and internal events in China all contributed to the strained relationship. Despite occasional limited diplomatic contacts, mistrust and ideological concerns prevailed, hindered by a fear of being perceived as weak against communism. These obstacles conspired to impede any meaningful progress in US-China relations during this period.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A Level
NOTES
Assess the obstacles to improving relations between the US and China in the period 1950–63. The shock of the Communist victory of 1949 and the political backwash of McCarthyism might be seen as a major obstacle by 1950. The US recognition of China as the nationalist remnant in Taiwan rather than the Communist state on the mainland was a massive obstacle. But the Korean War seemed to confirm the dangers of a spread of Chinese inspired communist in Asia which threatened US economic and strategic interests and was linked in some minds to the dangers in Europe of possible communist expansion with the Berlin Blockade. The military clashes with Chinese volunteers meant that US citizens pulled out of China and US support for Jiang Jieshi in Taiwan increased. Truman sent the Seventh Fleet to the straits of Taiwan and in 1951 a military assistance and advisory group was established on the island by the US. Taiwan became a major obstacle to better relations. There was a danger of the Korean War escalating into an invasion of China and the use of atomic weapons, but MacArthur’s dismissal was a sign that the US eschewed this policy. However, the policy of Containment was clearly applied to Taiwan and a potential threat by the Communists was met by a show of US military support for Taiwan. The mindset of the US was that there was a real threat in Asia and relations at the Geneva conference of 1954 were hostile. Dulles refused even to acknowledge the presence of Zhou Enlai. Only limited diplomatic contacts were maintained by ongoing talks between Chinese and US ambassadors in Geneva. In 1958 more hostility over Taiwan occurred when the Chinese shelled the Nationalist islands of Jinmen and Mazu. The Taiwan issue undermined even modest attempts at communication. US fears about China seemed to be confirmed by internal events – the Great Leap Forward and then the Cultural Revolution, undermining hopes that China could be treated diplomatically liker other great powers. However, the split between China and the USSR did cast doubts on a monolithic Communist bloc. This was not exploited in the period because of ideological concerns and the political fears of being ‘soft on communism’ at a time when tensions with the Communist world remained high.