Impact on Cold War Notes

Support for Revolutionary Movements

Korean War (1950-1953)

1. Mao's Decision to Intervene
   1. Mao sent the People's Volunteer Army to support North Korea, fearing a US invasion of China.
   2. This marked China's emergence as a major player in the Cold War.
2. Impact on the Cold War
   1. The war solidified the division of Korea and intensified US-China hostility.
   2. It also strained US resources and influenced American foreign policy in Asia.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

1. Support for North Vietnam
   1. China provided military and economic aid to Ho Chi Minh's forces.
   2. This support was crucial in sustaining the North Vietnamese war effort.
2. Impact on the Cold War
   1. China's involvement prolonged the conflict and complicated US strategy in Southeast Asia.
   2. It also highlighted the global reach of the Cold War, as superpowers and their allies became entangled in regional conflicts.

Political Context: Key Events and Crises

Korean War (1950-1953)

1. Mao's Role
   1. Mao's decision to send Chinese troops into Korea was pivotal.
   2. It demonstrated China's commitment to supporting communist allies and resisting US influence in Asia.
2. Impact on the Cold War
   1. The war solidified the division of Korea and intensified US-China hostility.
   2. It also marked China's emergence as a major player in the Cold War.

First and Second Taiwan Strait Crises (1954-1955, 1958)

1. Mao's Objectives
   1. Mao sought to pressure the US and assert China's claim over Taiwan.
   2. The crises involved artillery bombardments of islands controlled by the Republic of China (Taiwan).
2. Impact on the Cold War
   1. The crises highlighted the volatility of US-China relations and the potential for conflict in the region.
   2. They also underscored the strategic importance of Taiwan in the Cold War.

Sino-Soviet Schism

1. Causes
   1. Ideological Differences: Mao criticized Khrushchev's policies, including de-Stalinization and peaceful coexistence with the West.
   2. Border Disputes: Tensions escalated over territorial disagreements along the Sino-Soviet border.
2. Impact on the Cold War