AmSt 280 Keyterms Final Flashcards

Who: Nixon, China, Russia
What: Kept Russia in Check because of US-China relationship. Russia would be reluctant to attack China or the US because of the possibility of having to deal with both of them.
When: Following 1972
Where: China
Why: US-China relationship
How: Russia would be afraid to get involved in China because of the threat of US support
Significance: Kept Russia in check

Who: Eisenhower, US, Vietnam
What: The idea that should one country fall to Communism in Asia than eventually all of them will topple over like dominoes. McCarthyism
When: April 7th 1954
Where: Vietnam
Why: The looming threat of communism frightened the US
How:
Significance: One of the reasons to support South Vietnam and battle with North Vietnam

Who: Stalin, Korea, China, US
What: Reasons why Stalin launched a war with Korea
When: Late 1940s-early 1950s=Lead up to Korean War
Where: Soviet Russia and Korea
Why: Stalin thought that by launching a war in Korea, he could reaffirm his leadership of a worldwide communist movement.
How: China would need Russian support to win the war.
Significance: Motivated the Russians to support China and North Korea, If North Korea won, Russia would have gained additional power

Who: USA, Vietnam, France, Russia, Cambodia, Laos, Britain and China
What: Conference where the countries agreed to partition Vietnam on the 17th Parallel.
When: April 1954
Where: Geneva Switzerland
Why: Wanted to see which side would be more successful, Communist North or Capitalist South. They would vote to determine which way was better in 1956.
How: South Vietnam was backed by US because they weren’t communism. They refused to vote on which form of government would be better because they thought North Vietnam would win
Significance: Led to Vietnam War

Who: Chinese students
What: Students protest at Peking gate of Heavenly Peace and shit went down.
When: May 4th 1919
Where: Beijing, Gate of Heavenly Peace
Why: Unhappy with capitalism and imperialism. Started to believe in communism. Unhappy with treaty of Versailles. Did not receive rights at Paris Conference
How: Violent student led protests, boycott Japanese goods
Significance: Led to Washington conference. US failure in China

Who: US soldiers, Vietnamese village
What: US soliders raped and killed villagers in My Lai
When: 1968
Where: My Lai Vietnam
Why: US soldiers were frustrated by guerilla warfare and saw the villagers as enemies.
How:
Significance: Showed the US was also capable and committed many atrocities and crimes in the War.

Who: Japanese soldiers, Nanking residents
What: Japanese soldiers killed, raped and pillaged the area following its capture.
When: Six weeks following the Japanese capture of Nanking on December 13, 1937
Where: Nanking, China
Why: Japanese soldiers were from the country and were not used to seeing such beautiful women. The officers didn't stop them cause they felt the soldiers from the country were better than those from the cities and didn't see a need to discipline. Japan wanted to show the Chinese/the world their dominance and imperialistic power.
How:
Significance: Symbolizes the cruel and gruesome intent of Japanese imperialism in addition to their continued designs on creating a "Asia for Asians".

Who: General MacArthur, Japan, USA
What: Following the end of WWII, the US came into Japan to
rebuild the country. 3Ds-Demilitarize, Democratize and Decentralize.
When: 1945-1950s
Where: Japan
Why: Felt responsible for Atomic bombings and wanted ally
How: Created new constitution, degoded emperor, new economy, demilitarize
Significance: Set up Japan's economic miracle, demilitarize Japan

Who: Nixon and the Japanese Prime Minister that got fired
What: Nixon told America he was going to China to be nice, but didn't let Japan know until the last second. Nixon would not tell anyone of his international policy.
When: Feb 21st 1972=Nixon visit, Shanghai communique' Feb 27th 1972
Where: US, Japan, China
Why: China invited President Nixon to come to China
How: Japan did not get the memo til late and many criticized Japan for being mean to China.
Significance: Nixon was very first sitting President of the US to visit China

Who: China & Britain
What: Conflict between China & Britain over trade regulations and the sale of Opium
When: 1839-1842
Where: China
Why: Britain imported Opium into China, approx. 50% of China was hooked. China dumps the opium, Britain gets pissed.
How: Mostly Naval, British Navy was way more advanced than China's
Significance: Beginning of Modern China, Treaty of Nanjing=Extraterritoriality, Fall of China and the official opening of China. Shifts balance of power in Asia to Britain

Who: Nixon, US and Chinese Ping Pong Team
What: Reference to the games played between the US and China following the World Championships in Japan
When: 1971
Where: Japan, China and US
Why: China invited US to play following the Championship in Japan
How: Used Ping-Pong open doors to possible relationship
Significance: Broke the ice and opened up the possibility of US-China relations

Who: Directed by Barbara Sonneborn, US and Vietnam
What: A documentary about wives/loved ones going back to Vietnam to see where there loved ones were killed. Features American and Vietnamese widows
When: Film made in 1998 Vietnam war from November 1, 1955-April 30, 1975
Where: Vietnam
Why: To understand other people's losses from the Vietnam War
How: Talking to widows of both countries
Significance: Illustrates the tremendous death toll for both sides

Who: Japan and China
What: The Japanese accuse the Chinese of creating an explosion by a Japanese railway
When: September 18th, 1931
Where: China, Manchuria=Mukden
Why: Manchuria was an area rich in natural resources, a quality that Japan did not have.
How: The explosion was setup by the Japanese army in order to give them a reason to invade Manchuria.
Significance: Led to the Japanese invasion and occupation of Manchuria

Who: Written by Graham Green about Vietnam, France and the US
What: A book focusing on the effectiveness of communism versus colonialism in Vietnam. Thomas Fowler=Brit reporter, Alden Pyle=USA undercover reporter agent cia guy
When: Published in US in 1956
Where:Takes place in Vietnam
Why:
How:
Significance: Novel foreshadowed US involvement in Vietnam

Who: North Vietnam on US backed South Vietnam
What: North Vietnam surprise bombings during Lunar New Year
When: Jan-May 1968
Where: South Vietnam
Why: To surprise and devastate the South Vietnamese
How: Attacked during time of assumed/ understood ceasefire
Significance: Served as a political and psychological win for North Vietnam

Who: USA, Japan, Shigeru Yoshida, General MacArthur
What: Set of principles taken from the US and instituted by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshida . Three principles...
1. Japan should not rearm again
2. Japan should focus on domestic economic prosperity
3. Japan should not get involved in overseas conflicts
When: Early 50s
Where: Japan
Why: Rebuild Japan after WWII
How: Focus on domestic economic prosperity
Significance: Set the table for Japan's economic miracle from 1953-1973