HISTORY HL EXTENDED ESSAY A(32/34)

1. Introduction

The Sino-soviet split was one of the pivotal and emblematic events during the Cold War for its impact on the communist movement and the international politics, in the latter half of the 20th century. This ideological and geopolitical significance became a crucial determinant of China’s domestic and foreign policies throughout 1950s and 1960s, leading to a consequential influence in concluding its participation of the ongoing Vietnam war, which was strategically significant to world politics with an extensive involvement of major powers. (Jian 211) I will, therefore, focus on analyzing the question, “How significant was the Sino- Soviet split (1956-66) to China’s participation in the Vietnam War? (1964-69)”

The investigation will dissect this topic, into three main sections, first providing background knowledge on the Sino-soviet split, followed by information on Cold War and significance of China’s involvement in the Second Indochina war. The third section will then cover the motives for China’s participation in the Vietnam war, derived from the Sino-soviet split, leading to the analysis of other elements that include the international obligation, domestic reasons, American involvement and Sino-Vietnamese relations on the subsequent involvement of China in the Vietnam War…