Rapprochement-presentation-StudyHistory.pptVIP

Study the map. What were the main geopolitical threats to Chinese security in the 1960s? ? starter activity Why did Sino-American relations improve during the 1970s? Assess the implications of the Ussuri River Dispute (1969) and changing ‘geopolitics’ Identify reasons why ‘rapprochement’ occurred between US and China and evaluate the achievements of improved relations ? Aims Ussuri River, marking the boundary between USSR and China ? Your task Explain Mao’s motives for provoking the Ussuri River dispute (1969). What does the dispute tell us about Sino-Soviet relations? How did the dispute bring a change in attitude of China to the USA? (p.128-129, Phillips) Border clash at Damansky Island Motives Damansky Island (1964) - Mao angered USSR by describing the hand over of the island as a preliminary to many Chinese territorial gains angered Khrushchev who cancelled agreement Czechoslovakia (1968) – heightened Chinese fears of Soviet invasion, leading to new policy of ‘active defence’ Fear of nuclear strike – China USSR possessed nuclear weapons; USSR appointed Tolubko to command Soviet forces in Far East Sino-Soviet relations Poor communications between leaders - e.g. Kosygin (Soviet foreign minister) met Zhou Enlai for talks at Beijing Airport; misinterpretations – Czechoslovakia seen to herald new era of Soviet expansionism Nuclear weapons – possession by both sides de-stabilised relations Changing relations - China less subservient to Russia; policy of ‘active defence’ 1st strike against Soviet troops (2 march 1969) Changes in attitudes towards US Need for an ally against Soviet aggression Fear of encirclement USA seen as less of a threat – Mao thought USA was an empire in decline ? Your task Using the information on p.129-130 note the reasons for rapprochement between China and America. Nixon meets Mao during a state visit to Beijing in 1972 Rapprochement Geopolitical considerations – encirclement, tensions with border countries, e.g. Japan, India, Taiwan Viet