The reasons for the Sino-Soviet split. The history of Sino-Soviet relations

After Stalin's death, prominent Soviet political figures, began to debunk the personality cult of the deceased leader. In addition, there is a warming of relations between the USSR and the capitalist countries of the West. This angered the head of China, Mao Zedong and was the cause of the deterioration of Soviet-Chinese relations.

Relations between the USSR and China

During the Stalinist era, the relationship between the people's Republic of China and the Soviet Union were the most friendly. The revolutionary mood of the Soviet Union helped China to become independent and socialist. Instructors Union taught the Chinese military to conduct combat and guerrilla warfare. In China supplied weapons, munitions and other equipment.

It was the biggest of the country "victorious socialism". Policy the two leaders were similar as their views on power. Joseph Stalin as a political lever used repression and murder. The period of its control is considered to be the bloodiest in Russian history: the mass purges carried out by the security officers of the NKVD, the absence of uncontrolled Stalin opposition. It was a terrible time when it was impossible to gather more than three people and have their political position.

Mao Zedong was distinguished by cunning, all problems were solved by blood and murder. It also lacked any significant opposition. The party line bent in spite of common sense, which led to tremendous economic losses and hunger. The replacement of Stalinist repression, Mao found, it had the name "Cultural revolution".

Communist brotherhood

Western Countries have been extremely indignant, and friendly relations between the two countries. The prospect of war with millions of China and the Soviet Union loomed distinctly. The Western media ironically called the Union of the countries of the "red-yellow threat". In fact, the Chinese military is nothing serious is not represented. He Mao in case of war, offered the advice to retreat to Central Asia, where the war would have involved the Chinese.

The Beginning of 1950-ies was the peak of relations between the two countries. Mutual integration and trust, common political views – that's the basis of friendship between the two peoples. However, the prospect of future relations were not so smooth.

The Languages and culture of the two countries differed. That meant one Russian, translated in Chinese meant something quite different. It happened with the phrase "brotherly relations". For the Russian people is a synonym of equality between people. However, in the Chinese sense of the phrase we are talking about two brothers: the older (USSR) and Junior (China).

The Soviet policy was actively involved in the development programme of China. The Union wanted to engage China on its course of socialist development, which caused righteous indignation Mao and his party colleagues.

A Visit to Mao Zedong in Moscow

The Chinese leader arrived in the capital of the Soviet Union in December 1949 and was there until February 1950. In Moscow, Mao wanted to achieve the best signing economic and political agreements. In a solemn ceremony, Mao was greeted with Soviet diplomats. Everyone in the Soviet Union rejoiced in the arrival of the leader of the friendly country, the people of Moscow eagerly greeted his motorcade.

Despite the warm reception in the city, in the Kremlin, he was greeted rather stiffly. For a long time, Mao was looking forward to meeting with the Soviet leader and him were not allowed other leaders of the party. Not accustomed to long wait times Mao decides to fly back, but it does not.

The Meeting did happen, but were distinguished by dryness. Gromyko noted that the two leaders failed to establish a warm relationship. Despite this, the desired Mao the documents were signed.

Political reasons for the aggravation of Soviet-Chinese relations

Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Nikita Khrushchev at the XX party Congress, made a speech designed to debunk Stalin's personality cult. At the party Congress it was decided to improve relations with the capitalist countries. This provoked the indignation of Mao Zedong, because it directly contradicted the ideology of communism, and that was one of the reasons for the Sino-Soviet conflict.

But it is only the political background, there were other, equally weighty reasons. China would like to see himself as a powerful player in the arena of world politics. Required veneration of the Soviet Union and the return of previously lost territories.

The Main causes of the Sino-Soviet split

Mao wanted to consolidate his authority in the party. Starting the Sino-Soviet conflict, years which occurred in the late 1950s, China wanted to show the Communist world community that it is not worse than the Soviet Union and they have their own unique ideas. Historians identify four main points, which causes the Sino-Soviet conflict:

1. China's Desire to recover their territory and to Mongolia.
2. Equality between China and the Soviet Union.
3. Solution of the nuclear issue.
4. Contradictions on many issues.

The Attitude of Khrushchev and Zedong

The Chinese leader had not sympathy to Nikita Sergeyevich. And he had their own subjective reasons that are often quite absurd. When in the role of leader were Stalin, Mao tolerably treated as Juniorbrother. However, with the coming to power of Khrushchev, this situation Zedong was not satisfied. He considered time, Nikita his younger, therefore less experienced and can't be his older brother.

Criticism of Stalin posed a threat to the personality cult of Mao. Chinese propagandists have tried to fame, making him a local deity. Even in the hymn sounded lines:

The East is Red, the sun rises, China is also the birthplace of Mao Zedong.

Sam Mao assessed Stalin's role more positively than negatively. The specific character of Nikita Khrushchev prevented the building of friendly relations. Khrushchev in his action was hasty, overly straightforward, that varies with the representation of the people of the East about a good man. In one speech Khrushchev allowed himself to personally insult Mao Zedong, which also led to the Sino-Soviet split.

The Contradictions between the USSR and the PRC

Union advocated the peaceful regulation of the issues between the two countries, nobody wanted war, though all prepared for this. Moscow sought to eliminate the possibility of nuclear war. Beijing, by contrast, wanted the revolutionary victory. Mao believed that half of humanity is a small sacrifice for the common good. Their death is not critical, there is the other half of the ideal of the Communists.

In his memoirs, Nikita Khrushchev recalls how he proposed at the same time to dissolve NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Mao's idea was flatly rejected and suggested if anything to retreat to the Ural mountains. Khrushchev knew the Chinese leader knew nothing about the military, and all his statements were called "baby talk."

TSE-Tung could not request the neutrality of the USSR in relation to the Sino-Indian conflict, passing from 1959 until 1962. All three years the Soviet leaders tried to convince Beijing not to take the hurry to leave India on the position of non-alignment. Such a request did not like Mao, and he accused Moscow of trying to provoke a military conflict.

Million Chinese in Siberia

Without thinking, Nikita Khrushchev made the offer to place in Siberia around one million workers. Such a request naturally angered Zedong, he considered it an insult to millions of Chinese citizens. By the time of the agreement of sending workers Khrushchev decides to cancel. The Soviet leader feared that at such arrangement of the Affairs of the Chinese take over Siberia without a Declaration of war.

The Deterioration of bilateral relations

With the onset of the 60-ies of political and ideological disputes between China and the Soviet Union did not abate. Newspapers from Beijing published an article in which he denounced the foreign policy of the Union and criticized the Communist party.

In response, Moscow recalled political advisers and experts of a narrow profile that became an unpleasant surprise for the leadership of the CPC. Comprehensive assistance from the Union almost completely stopped. As soon as the dust faded Khrushchev, the Soviet Union decided to return professionals in China. However, the Chinese refused to take them back.

First provocation

Since the beginning of 1960, the Chinese government began to provoke Soviet border guards on the conflict. Ordinary citizens have repeatedly violated the integrity of the borders, single military crossed the border. There have been cases of mass crossing the boundaries of individual groups of soldiers. In General, Beijing has spared no effort to provoke the Soviet border guards and the emergence of the Sino-Soviet split.

It is Worth noting that our defenders of the borders had the mind and endurance not to open fire on violators. The peak of the arrogance of Chinese began in 1962, officially registered more than 5 thousand different violations of the border. And that's only the declared data, and how many times the Soviet border guards were too lazy to document provocations, no one knows.

Eight Chinese tractors running 200 Chinese and cover military Soviet plowed land. This incident probably greatly amused the guards, in spite of this, they put up a barrier. Chinese military forces along with the tractors tried to break through it, shouting, swearing and mats.

Moscow incident

Repeatedly, the citizens of China provoked the Soviet to the fights and swearing. About the Chinese Embassy turned a rally criticizing the foreign policy of the Soviet Union.

A Real insult to the Chinese provocateurs attacked the Lenin mausoleum. In the Holy for all Soviet Communists the Chinese staged a stampede. Applying physical force, they pushed back from the entrance to the mausoleum the other visitors. They loudly swore and shouted anti-Soviet slogans.

But they have not achieved the desired effect, before battering on the part of citizens of the Union, they never came. The case involved law enforcement, and the Chinese quickly took "by the hand".

The Soviet Embassy in Beijing

If the streets of Moscow to the Chinese provocateurs were not allowed to turn, in their homeland, they tried with all their hard work. Day and night around the Soviet Embassy held rallies and gatherings. The protesters shouted slogans against the Soviet Union. They threatened to deal with the integrity of the country of victorious socialism and to overthrow the current regime. In addition, the Chinesewanted to deal with the political figures of the USSR. Their portraits were burned with wild cries, and on the Embassy grounds threw the burning garbage.

I Reached the point that members of anti-Soviet rallies came on the inviolable territory of the Embassy. They climbed on the roof and from there threw the outer courtyard of the Embassy propaganda leaflets. Beijing authorities tried to help the Soviet Embassy in his siege. Instead, they sent a telegram to Moscow, where he requested asylum and not out of it. Otherwise, they are not responsible for the security of Soviet citizens.

IX Congress of the Communist party of China

In April 1969, at a regular meeting of the party, it was decided to consolidate anti-Soviet activities officially. China began preparing for the permanent revolution and at the same time to war. On the borders with the Soviet Union increased military groups. In 1967, the total strength of the Chinese military had more than 400 thousand people. Chinese manpower built roads, shelters and airfields. At that time, finally established a course on the Sino-Soviet split.

Sino-Soviet

Soviet and Chinese troops faced for the first time EN masse on a small uninhabited island Damansky. Full-scale conflict was preceded by long and careful preparation. The border area with the Soviet Union Chinese propaganda called the first line of defense. There is contracted military forces, fortified positions and dug trenches.

The Border conflict happened in 1969. However, before that, the Chinese have conducted small raids, literally teasing the Soviet military. To probe the defense China's military tried Kirkinskaya island on the Ussuri river. The action took place from December 1967 to January 1968.

For subversive actions against the Soviet border guards and Chinese technicians were specially brought in trucks. They have repeatedly crossed the boundary line on the ice, thereby intruding on the island. In response to requests to leave the territory of the Chinese Soviet provocateurs used brute force and swearing.

The Chinese authorities are well aware of the provocative actions. Moreover, they are also coordinated. Armed with crowbars, dressed as Chinese soldiers again crossed the Soviet border. Groups of several people, acting coherently on a pre-conceived plan, they chased the Soviet military from their own territory.

Battered and technology, the Chinese comrades crowded around Soviet armored personnel carriers from the military. They blocked their path, crowbars smashed headlamp glass, pierced wheels. Iron armor poured caustic chemicals, and drivers tried to dazzle with special dust.

Such incidents have helped the Chinese military tactics work future conflict on Damansky island, which the Chinese called Jagbodhi. According to the agreement signed between Moscow and Beijing, the boundary line designated by the Chinese Bank of the Ussuri river. The island was closer to the Chinese coast, it was 47 meters, while the Soviet - about 130 meters. However, he still belonged to the Soviet Union.

Union, strengthens border

During the friendship of the two countries when the conflict, no one thought, the island freely visited by Chinese farmers. It was cattle grazed, mowed grass and dried hay. The idyll did not last long, the Soviet military was soon noticed that on the Chinese side was created military installations. Propaganda set up inhabitants of nearby villages against the Soviet Union, started a real spy.

The Soviet command retaliated in kind. To the border massed Armored vehicles, the positions of the guards were equipped with heavy machine guns and other rapid-fire weapons. A separate part of the red Army was relocated from Central areas towards the Asian border. Preparations for the Soviet-Chinese conflict was a well-kept secret. And ordinary Soviet citizens still believed that the two countries are brothers forever.

The Damansky Island was not considered important by the Soviet commanders, so his protection was limited to observation and occasional patrols.

Preparation of China

Chinese military command has finished the plan of attack on 25 January 1969. Direct leadership of the military operation was entrusted to van Sailana. His command post he had placed in front of the observation post Gunshy.

The Main objective of the RAID was a provocation of the Soviet troops in open armed conflict. Beijing wanted to prove to the aggressive ambitions of the Soviet Union. For this it was necessary to capture their military equipment, ammunition. As well as photographs designed to prove militarized intentions of the Union against the PRC.

In the case of the Soviet border guards weapons, the Chinese had every right to fight back. Provocateurs of Beijing wanted to get the evidence of fire from the side of the Soviet border. If the defense leaves their trenches and begin to attack, by any means supposed to take someone prisoner. In this scenario, the Chinese had a major ACE in the hole. The experts did not have to force the Soviet military to admit the alleged impending attack on the PRC.

The Chinese side has taken into account the specifics of Russian. On weekends to coordinate the actions of the troops difficult, and in festive challenge is threefold. It did the calculation of the Chinese commanders. Maslenitsa, a traditional Russian holiday, celebrated23 Jan. The commanders of the border troops must have noted a celebration, and so was the service. Tweaks to the Chinese military not to take, they also took into account the technical component.

The Soviet border guards it was not possible to monitor at night as they did not have any instruments that could see in the dark. Therefore, detection of these Chinese military forces was impossible. And off aircraft overflew around the border of the two countries.

The climax of the conflict

On the night of January 23, 1969, the Chinese military crossed the border of the USSR. Under the cover of night they came to the island Damanski, where, and dug, buried in the snow. To ignore them was extremely difficult, during the night of their tracks covering the snow. In the morning, their penetration has detected and reported to the command. At that time, believed that offenders a total of 30 people, when in fact there were about 300. The Chinese position has nominated Lieutenant Strelnikov, along with 30 soldiers of the red Army.

Their plan was surrounded by Chinese military with the subsequent expulsion from the island. It is worth noting that none of the Soviet military was not expecting an armed conflict. Senior Lieutenant Strelnikov and a group of 5 people directly moved to the position of the Chinese. He walked deliberately, cultural protest and a request to leave the island Damansky.

The Chinese military almost shot the Soviet delegates. In response, another group, bypassing the flank, opened mortar fire on the Chinese positions. Immediately was occupied perimeter defense and called for reinforcements.

Has proposed the neighboring frontier, headed by the Lieutenant of Bebenina. They managed to circumvent the Chinese from the rear and forced to surrender their territory. The battle went on till evening. In the end, the Soviet side killed 31 people, 14 were injured and one was missing.

According to witnesses, the missing were YCL Pavel Akulov. His body was carried away by the Chinese. Later, with the helicopter IN Chinese was thrown his corpse. On the body Akulova, the Chinese left more than 20 stab holes, it was more like a sieve than a body of the person.

The place of the armed clashes came a special Commission. Her task was to document the incident. On the island found Chinese camouflage coats, to shoot bullets and even vodka.

Second wave

Apparently, the last encounter was a rehearsal with the Chinese side to probe the Soviet defenses. Small skirmishes continued until March 15, when the Chinese attempted to knock the Soviet military from the island.

Under cover of long range artillery and mortars of large military forces, China went on the attack chain. This method provides relatively small losses from machine-gun fire of the enemy. Massive attack the Chinese were forced to withdraw the Soviet military from the island. The Outpost remained until night without any visible support. This was due to the political turmoil in Moscow.

The fact that all important decisions were made in the capital of the USSR, but no settings concerning the Soviet-Chinese conflict on damanskii island did not come.

The Command on the spot, it was decided to use artillery division and "Grad". Thus, the Soviet military said the Chinese that they are ready for any provocation. Massive strike with long-range guns and rocket launchers brought the Chinese out of balance, so the guards along with the infantry battalion were able to clear the Chinese from the island and re-settle in it.

Chinese events

The Ultimate goal of Chinese propagandists have been achieved. The Soviet Union has led to the provocation by engaging in fierce battles with the military of the PRC. Losses on the Chinese side amounted to 600 in killed, and Soviet border guards lost 58 people. Beijing authorities gave their assessment of the event.

According to them, the conflict was provoked by the Soviet side. Their point of view has not changed until now. Soviet military strength of 70 people with trucks and armored personnel carriers crossed the border and occupied the Chinese island of Jagbodhi, part Kalinskogo County. They then took measures for the destruction of brave Chinese soldiers, but they resisted them. Chinese authorities repeatedly warned the Union not to take military action and to stop provocations. However, on March 15, Soviet troops began the offensive. Forces tanks, aircraft, artillery and infantry, they managed to push the Chinese military to seize the island. Such was the history of Soviet-Chinese relations in the middle of the last century.