Political Science ETDs

Publication Date

5-18-1967

Abstract

The Sino-Soviet split is a devisive force in the world Communist movement. World Communism has become a far less imposing force in international relations because of the loss of unity which the split has caused. There are many reasons, including ideology, terminology, and method, that should bind the Soviet union and the People' Republic of China together, but there are also important differences that drive them apart. These devisive forces include the character of international Communism, ideology, different revolutionary experiences, economic theory, political environment, military tactics and racial antagonisms. Another cause of the conflict is the historical relationship between China and Russia. The purpose of this thesis will be to explore the historical relationships between Russia and China, especially during the period 1924-1927, and to gauge their effect on the current Sino-Soviet dispute.

Imperial China and Tsarist Russia began formal diplomatic relations in 1689 with the Treaty of Nerchinsk. For the next two hundred years Manchu China suffered diplomatic reverses and humiliations at the hands of Tsarist diplomats.

By 1895 the domestic popularity of the Manchu government was at a low ebb and a nationalist revolutionary movement began in China. In 1911 the Manchus were deposed and the Chinese revolutionary movement began a long internal struggle to determine China’s course. Constant frustration and Yuan Shih-kai’s usurpation of power had alienated the intelligentsia from the Republican experience by 1918. In addition, the intellectuals hated the Versailles Treaty, the continued economic exploitation and the ineptness of Western diplomats in China. Some joined the Kuomintang of Sun Yat-sen and others saw a asolution to China's problems in the success of the Soviet Bolshevik experience.

Chen Tu-hsiu and Li Ta-chao were the first important Marxists in China. They organized a Marxist movement at Peking University and on may 4, 1919 demonstrated against the Chinese government. The May fourth Movement was brutally suppressed but did not die. In 1920 the Soviet Union dispatched a Komintern agent G. Voitinsky to China and the Chinese Communist Party was soon formed. From its creation, the ideological position of the C.C.P. was controlled from Moscow. Any member with deviationist tendencies was forced to admit his errors or leave the party. On Moscow’s orders, but with severe reservations, the C.C.P. joined in an alliance with the Kuomintang during 1923-1924. The results of this alliance were to be disastrous for the C.C.P. They soon found themselves ideologically subordinate to the Kuomintang, which was by no means a Marxist party. Whenever the C.C.P. gained dominant political influence in any area it was brutally suppressed by the Kuomintang. Stalin, however, maintained his support of the Kuomintang. In 1927, after bloody defeats at Canton, Shanghai, and Wuhan, the C.C.P. was nearly destroyed. The view held by many Communist leaders that agrarian revolution was the proper vehicle was never accepted by Stalin and the C.C.P. continued to suffer reverses from 1927-1930. By 1931 Soviet influence in China had declined and leadership of the C.C.P. fell to Mao Tse-tung, who eventually led the party to victory.

In almost every instance the historical relationship between Russia and China has resulted in Chinese defeat or humiliation. While the basic cause of the current Sino-Soviet conflict is a complex combination of nationalism and national interest, the historical factor does play a role. Current Chinese leaders must remember the humiliations that their nation and party suffered at Russia’s hands. While the current rift might still exist, even if the past had been different, the historical factor can only add bitterness and hostility to the atmosphere of the current dispute.

Degree Name

Political Science

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Political Science

First Committee Member (Chair)

Illegible

Second Committee Member

Lawrence Littwin

Third Committee Member

Henry Jack Tobias

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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