How did Mao Tse Tung play a significant role during the Cold War?
1 Answer
In a number of different ways.
Explanation:
Firstly when China became communist in October 1949 this heightened the fears of the USA and the West in the context of Cold War paranoia in the post-war era.
Secondly China's direct support for the North Koreans during the Korean war in the early 1950's brought it into direct conflict with the USA, again contributing towards Cold War tensions.
China's acquisition of nuclear weapons was also perceived as a serious threat by the USA and her allies.
China's support for the North Vietnamese in the conflict in Vietnam was a further factor, particularly when the Americans became drawn in directly with over 500,000 troops by the late 60's.
Set against this was the fact that the USSR and China had serious differences, especially after Khruschev denounced Stalin in 1956. Such tensions exploded into violence on the SIno-Soviet border and were exploited by the USA from Nixon onwards.
