The Cold War Era 1945 1991 III Communism

The Cold War Era (1945– 1991) III. Communism in East Asia

The Cold War Era (1945– 1991) III. Communism in East Asia Learning Objectives • • • Analyze how Mao Zedong turned China into a communist state. Describe China’s role in the Cold War. Explain the causes and impact of the Korean War.

The Cold War Era (1945– 1991) III. Communism in East Asia A. The Chinese Communist Victory 1. Mao Zedong won control of China in 1949 by appealing to the peasants by promising them land. Communism appealed to all social classes in China because of the corruption of Jiang’s govt. Mao got help from the USSR and instituted collectivization of farmland. The result was the same as the USSR years earlier, millions died. 2. Women gained some equal rights, but not all. Mao experimented with reforms like the Great Leap Forward. He realized that China lacked the industrial foundation that the Soviet Union had so he tried to industrialize in “backyards”. This was a huge failure. 3. In 1966, Mao attempted the Cultural Revolution, to purge China of any bourgeois tendencies. Teenagers and young adults were encouraged to experience revolution like he had by “overthrowing” their elders. This program failed so bad that Mao had to give up and share power with reformers.

B. China and the Cold War 1. Americans feared that China and the USSR would attempt a world-wide communist takeover. However, the two countries weren’t friendly. Mao and Stalin disagreed on communist philosophy and the two countries had many border disputes. 2. By 1959, any formal alliance was dead. Even though China had opposed the USA during the Korean war, Americans saw a chance to isolate Russia if they could become friendly with China. Nixon visited Mao in 1972 and formal relations were reestablished in 1979. Today, China and the USA are major trading partners. 3. Jiang Jieshi ruled Taiwan but by the 1990’s it was a democratic nation. China wants to retake Taiwan but Taiwan’s economic power and close trade relationship with the USA has kept it free so far.

C. The Two Koreas 1. After WW 2 Korea was divided at the 38 th parallel. The Soviets and China supported Kim Il Sung in the North, while the USA supported Syngman Rhee in the South. In June of 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea and nearly conquered it. 2. UN troops under Mac. Arthur held fast at the Pusan Perimeter. Mac. Arthur sent a force to land at Inchon behind enemy lines and by October, North Korea had been driven back across the 38 th parallel. Mac. Arthur nearly conquered all of North Korea until China intervened. 3. Mac. Arthur retreated to the 38 th and an armistice was signed in 1953. South Korea has rebuilt and joined the democracies and today is a very prosperous nation. North Korea has been brutalized by Kim’s son and grandson. Most people are starving under the communist regime while Kim Jong Un continues his nuclear weapons program.

The Chinese Communist Victory The support of Chinese peasants helped Mao Zedong (left) and the communists achieve victory in China’s civil war.

The Chinese Communist Victory Analyze Graphs Failed government policies combined with bad weather led to a severe famine and millions of Chinese deaths. During which year of the Great Leap Forward was the death rate highest?

China and the Cold War Analyze Political Cartoons The Soviet Union and China, both communist, had a tense relationship. In 1978, China rejected a Soviet proposal to improve relations. Who does the bear represent? Who has the upper hand in this cartoon?

China and the Cold War Analyze Maps Taiwan and China had an uneasy relationship during the Cold War. Why might it prove difficult for China to invade Taiwan?

The Two Koreas Analyze Maps War broke out in Korea in 1950. Communist North Korea invaded South Korea in an effort to reunite Korea. In the fall of 1950, who controlled most of the Korean Peninsula?

The Two Koreas UN forces battled Chinese and Soviet-backed North Korean troops for control of the Korean Peninsula. In August 1950, advancing U. S. soldiers march past a line of Korean refugees.