The Role of China and the USA as World Leaders

Unit Questions How did China begin to emerge as a world power? What is the Chinese economy like? What are the people of China like? What are some of the complexities in the relationship between China and the USA?

Daily Goals Content Goal: Literacy Goal: Social Goal: Compare USA and China Understand similarities and differences Understand relationship between them Literacy Goal: Understand the concepts: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GDP per Capita, and GDP Growth Rate Social Goal: Work together as a class and with Study Buddies to discuss and interpret data.

Quick Fire

Brief History of USA-China Relations 1849 California Gold Rush 1,000s of Chinese immigrate to California to mine gold. Most end up in the clothes-washing business because of intense discrimination. 1869 Transcontinental Railroad 10,000s of Chinese immigrate to the American West to work to build railroads. Many were treated like slaves.

Brief History of USA-China Relations Chinese Exclusion Act of 1883 (1883-1943) Chinese continue to immigrate in the 10,000s. Many people on the west coast feel their jobs threatened by cheap Chinese labor. The USA bans immigration from China. This is the first immigration restriction in USA history.

Brief History of USA-China Relations Open Door Policy (1899-1943) The Chinese Empire is weak. European nations attempt to carve up China into “Spheres of Influence.” USA declares an Open Door Policy All nations should have equal trade access In all Chinese ports To all Chinese products. US threatens to use it’s new navy of gunboats to enforce

Brief History of USA-China Relations USA backs pro-capitalists in Chinese Civil War (1943-49) After WWII the Japanese were driven from China. Since there was no longer an emperor, a civil war began between Communist and Capitalist forces. The USA actively backed and supplied the capitalist forces. The Communist forces lead by Mao Zedong won the civil war. The capitalist forces lead by Chiang Ki-Shek, escaped to the island of Taiwan and set up a rival Chinese government. The USA allied with Taiwan and supported it economically and militarily.

Brief History of USA-China Relations Korean War (1950-1953) The US leads UN troops into the Korean Peninsula to stop the spread of Communism. China invades Korean Peninsula when UN troops push the North Korean Army near the Chinese border. USA is forced to negotiate a truce with North Korea and China. North Korea stays Communist and allies with China. South Korea stays Capitalist and allies with the USA. USA supports South Korea economically and militarily.

Brief History of USA-China Relations Vietnam War (1963-1972) USA begins getting involved in Vietnam to stop the expansion of Communism into Southeast Asia. China actively supplies North Vietnamese Forces. USA fights a limited war in Vietnam to avoid a larger war with China. China becomes a nuclear power in 1964.

Brief History of USA-China Relations Richard Nixon and Détente (1973-1999) Communist China and Soviet Union end alliance and fight a border war. President Nixon declares Détente, or an “easing of tensions” with China. USA recognizes Communist Chinese government as the legitimate Chinese government. China admitted to the UN and given seat on the Security Council. Taiwan becomes “observer.” USA begins to official trade with China.

Brief History of USA-Chinese Relations Tiananmen Square Incident 1989 During Détente, Chinese students begin studying in U.S. universities. These students become professors in China, bringing pro-democratic and pro-capitalist ideas with them. In 1989, millions of university students across China engage in pro-democratic protests. China declares martial law and stamps out the protest. The most famous episode was the Tiananmen Square Incident Tanks cleared out the central square in the capital of Beijing. Thousands of unarmed protestors are killed; thousands of protest organizers “disappear.”

Brief History of USA-China Relations United Kingdom Returns Hong Kong to China in 1997 Hong Kong was one of the Asian Tiger Economies Asian countries that had adopted pro-Western, capitalist economies. Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan Hong Kong re-invigorates Chinese economy. Hong Kong connects Chinese economy to the world. 80% of Chinese exports still leave through Hong Kong harbor (this is changing).

Brief History of USA-China Relations 2008 Beijing Olympics China puts on its best face as it shows itself to the world. After decades of isolation, the message is clear: China is back China is ready to take its place as a world leader China is open for business http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOijH0xinTE

Brief History of USA-China Relations China does it Gangnam Style As China becomes more connected to the global economy, it is discovering the USA (just like we are discovering it). McDonaldization: Describes the adoption of Western tastes by the Chinese. McDonalds Starbucks Hollywood