Crosscurrents: US Relations with Nationalist China, 1943-1960

The United States and Nationalist China allied against Imperial Japan, but their relationship was strained due to differing core interests in winning the war. After Japan's surrender, the US pressed Chinese Nationalists and Communists to join a coalition government, which neither wanted. The US supported the Nationalists during the civil war but never to the degree they thought mattered. After the Communist triumph, the US served its national security and anti-Communism by helping the Nationalists defend Taiwan, but hedged against assisting Chiang Kai-shek to reconquer the mainland. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait nearly expanded into nuclear conflict twice in the 1950s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 428 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

The United States and Nationalist China found themselves united in their common struggle against Imperial Japan, but their alliance soon faced significant cracks. Despite their shared goal of defeating the Japanese, neither side was willing to compromise on their core interests in the strategies required to secure victory. This rift persisted even after Japan's surrender, as the United States continued to pressure Chinese Nationalists and Communists to form a coalition government that neither party desired. During the civil war, the United States provided support to the Nationalists, although it was not to the extent that they had hoped. Following the Communist victory, America prioritized its national security and anti-Communist interests by aiding the Nationalists in defending Taiwan, while simultaneously taking measures to prevent Chiang Kai-shek from reconquering the mainland. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait reached a boiling point twice in the 1950s, narrowly avoiding the escalation into nuclear conflict.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793631145