The Spread of Communism in The Spread of Communism in AsiaAsia

ChinaChina Since the 1920s, Chinese Since the 1920s, Chinese

communists, led by Mao communists, led by Mao Zedong, had been engaged in Zedong, had been engaged in civil war with Kai-shek’s civil war with Kai-shek’s Nationalist Koumintang (KMT). Nationalist Koumintang (KMT). Despite significant American Despite significant American support for the KMT it had support for the KMT it had grown out of touch with the grown out of touch with the people, and the communists people, and the communists were eventually victorious. On were eventually victorious. On the 1 October 1949 Mao the 1 October 1949 Mao Zedong announced the Zedong announced the establishment of the People’s establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Chiang Kai-Republic of China. Chiang Kai-shek fled to the nearby island shek fled to the nearby island of Formosa (later renamed of Formosa (later renamed Taiwan)Taiwan) The Chinese

people have stood up!"

What was Russia’s Reaction?What was Russia’s Reaction?

Russia was delighted that China was now communist. Stalin Russia was delighted that China was now communist. Stalin had never expected the communists to win the war. He was had never expected the communists to win the war. He was determined to establish a link with his new communist determined to establish a link with his new communist neighbour. Therefore the Treaty of Friendship was agreed neighbour. Therefore the Treaty of Friendship was agreed between the two powers. It was agreed that Russia would help between the two powers. It was agreed that Russia would help China to develop economically, technologically and militarily.China to develop economically, technologically and militarily.

How did the USA react?How did the USA react?

America was severely disappointed by these developments; China America was severely disappointed by these developments; China was a vast country with a massive population and huge resources; was a vast country with a massive population and huge resources; its fall to communists turned the Cold War into a worldwide struggle. its fall to communists turned the Cold War into a worldwide struggle. Americans suspected that the fall of China was part of Stalin’s Americans suspected that the fall of China was part of Stalin’s scheme to spread communism across the world. Even more scheme to spread communism across the world. Even more worryingly, its fall came shortly after Russia successfully exploded worryingly, its fall came shortly after Russia successfully exploded its first atomic bomb. Truman’s regime came under massive criticism its first atomic bomb. Truman’s regime came under massive criticism at home for its failure to stand up to communists more forcefully.at home for its failure to stand up to communists more forcefully.

This Day in History 1949: Soviets explode atomic bomb

What was the US response?What was the US response? America regarded Mao Zedong to be nothing America regarded Mao Zedong to be nothing

more than Stalin’s puppet, the US government:more than Stalin’s puppet, the US government:1.1. Refused to recognise the new regime as Refused to recognise the new regime as

China’s legitimate government.China’s legitimate government.2.2. Tried its best to ignore communist China and Tried its best to ignore communist China and

continued to support Chiang Kai-Shek’s right continued to support Chiang Kai-Shek’s right to represent China in the UN.to represent China in the UN.

Stalin’s attempt to obtain the Chinese seat at Stalin’s attempt to obtain the Chinese seat at the UN for the communists were rejected; in the UN for the communists were rejected; in response the Soviets staged a walkout and response the Soviets staged a walkout and boycotted the UN.boycotted the UN.

The Threat of AsiaThe Threat of Asia

Many concerns Many concerns surrounded the fall of surrounded the fall of China. The Americans China. The Americans feared that their feared that their neighbours may follow. neighbours may follow. America’s fear of a America’s fear of a series of neighbouring series of neighbouring countries becoming countries becoming communist one after the communist one after the other became known as other became known as the domino theory.the domino theory.

If Indochina falls, Thailand is put in an almost impossible position. The same is

true of Malaya with its rubber and tin. The same is true of Indonesia. If this whole part of South East Asia goes

under Communist domination or Communist influence, Japan, who

trades and must trade with this area in order to exist must inevitably be oriented towards the Communist

regime.

Vice-president Richard Nixon, speech, (December, 1953)

How to stop this ‘domino theory’?How to stop this ‘domino theory’?

To stop this happening containment would have To stop this happening containment would have to become a worldwide policy- not just a to become a worldwide policy- not just a European one. The first test of America’s European one. The first test of America’s determination to oppose the spread of determination to oppose the spread of communism in Asia came almost immediately. communism in Asia came almost immediately. This time the country involved was China’s This time the country involved was China’s neighbour Korea.neighbour Korea.

Click on the next slide for a French T.V. Click on the next slide for a French T.V. broadcast on the Korean War and the following broadcast on the Korean War and the following page a Korean broadcast. You will be learning page a Korean broadcast. You will be learning more on this in the coming lessons. more on this in the coming lessons.

Read page 172 of your CCEA Read page 172 of your CCEA TextbookTextbook

Answer questions 1-3Answer questions 1-3 Again make note of the revision tip.Again make note of the revision tip. The fall of China to communism is when the The fall of China to communism is when the

domino theory came into play. It is very domino theory came into play. It is very important that you do not get this mixed up with important that you do not get this mixed up with the Cold War in Europe. Many candidates have the Cold War in Europe. Many candidates have made the mistake in the past and said that the made the mistake in the past and said that the Domino theory started in Europe. Domino theory started in Europe. DO NOT DO DO NOT DO THIS.THIS.