Module overview
Modern Chinese history can arguably not be understood without considering China’s role in the Cold War. Even China’s foreign relations today – for instance its relationship to Russia and to North Korea – are shaped by it. Vice versa, in understanding the Cold War in its global dimensions, it is crucial to look at China’s role in it, since it was an important player that sought to achieve a leadership role next to the two superpowers.
This module introduces China’s role in the Cold War. In part 1 (first semester), we will focus on the chronology of the Cold War. Among our themes will be the foundation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921, the Chinese civil war that caused the tensions between mainland China and Taiwan, the Sino-Soviet friendship and its split, China’s involvement in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as the end of the Cold War.