US Response to Chinese Communism 1949-1950

US Response to Chinese Communism 1937: US became more politically involved in China following the Japanese invasion of China (this was seen as a threat to US power in the Pacific) 1941: Following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US offered aid to Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist government 1945: US increased it’s aid following the end of the Japanese occupation of China in 1945 which ended due to the use of atomic bombs, Soviet declaration of war on Japan and their invasion of Manchuria Neither the US nor the USSR wanted to see a reignition of the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists and the KMT. They both urged the creation of a coalition government. At first this worked, but was short-lived.

US Response to Chinese Communism Top: CCP troops march on Nanjing Bottom: RDS-1 Soviet atomic bomb US Response to Chinese Communism 1947: The US placed a low priority on China and focused more on the economic rebuilding of Japan (even though recovery would have been quicker if Japan had access to Chinese markets and raw materials) 1948: US felt like the KMT had been defeated (despite over $200 million in aid) and Truman lessened his focus on China 1949: The CCP captured Nanjing and Chiang Kai-Shek fled to Taiwan (Formosa) Initially, the US wasn’t too concerned about communism in China – felt a strong nuclear arsenal would be enough for containment – until two events occurred: 1. Victory for Mao and the CCP 2. USSR tested their first atomic bomb (one month later)

US Response to Chinese Communism 1950: Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance 30-year agreement between the USSR and China in which Stalin would provide Mao with economic aid (but not nuclear weapons) US policy was split on how to handle this – some thought US should establish a good relationship with Mao and that this could actually break up the alliance with USSR, others thought a “zero tolerance” approach to communism was best. With the growing anti-communist hysteria in US and the fear of “worldwide communist revolution” as stated by Kennan’s “Long Telegram”, Truman called for a complete reevaluation of his Cold War policies. This commemorative stamp symbolizes the Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance signed by USSR and China

NSC-68 NSC-68: This National Security Council document: This is considered one of the most important Cold War documents, though some historians feel it exaggerated Soviet threat in order to get approval for a big increase in military spending NSC-68 NSC-68: This National Security Council document: Officially stated that the US viewed Soviet Union as a military threat Recommended that the US should prepare for war (since agreements with USSR would never be honored, thus making war inevitable) and build up its military with both nuclear and conventional weapons (economic strength and propaganda not enough) US should continue to “contain communism” and attempt to erode its influence and power Claimed that the key to success in Asia was the creation of Japan as a regional powerhouse (could block moves made by China and USSR)