The ‘loss’ of China and the Cold War
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the impact of the ‘loss’ of China on the superpowers during the Cold War.
Key learning points
- After 1949, China declared its support for other communist countries.
- The Sino-Soviet Friendship Treaty created an alliance between China and the USSR.
- Communist victory in China was referred to as the 'loss' of China in the US.
- US anti-communism intensified after the 'loss' of China.
- US officials accepted the Domino Theory.
Keywords
Balance of power - the power of different countries and groups of states compared to one another
Sino-Soviet - relating to relations between China and the USSR
Treaty - a written agreement between two or more countries
Alliance - an agreement between countries or political parties to work together to achieve something
Common misconception
US responses to the 'loss' of China were only based on international concerns.
As a democracy, American policy-makers and leaders had to pay attention to domestic opinion as well as international issues. Both of these factors encouraged tough anti-communism after the 'loss' of China.
Teacher tip
Students could be given extra information about the strength of communist parties in different parts of East Asia and South-East Asia at the start of the 1950s (i.e. Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos). Ask how realistic the Domino Theory was.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which initialism was the Chinese Communist Party known by?
Q2.Which Asian country experienced a civil war from 1946-49?
Q3.Write the missing word. During the Chinese Civil War, the US offered support to the Party.
Q4.Write the missing word. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. A is a written agreement between two or more countries.
Q2.What was the 'loss' of China?
Q3.How did Mao's 'leaning to one side' affect China's approach to the Cold War?
Q4.Which two countries signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship in 1950?
Q5.Which theory led the US to worry that communism in China would lead to other non-communist countries in the region falling to communism?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The ‘loss’ of China and the Cold War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The ‘loss’ of China and the Cold War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.