The Foreign Office and policy-making in China, 1945-1950 : Anglo-American relations and the recognition of Communist China
The thesis contributes to the broad body of literature which examines the role of Great Britain in the origins of the Cold War. In particular it focuses on the Foreign Office attitude towards the course of the Chinese Civil War, and ultimately the establishment of a Communist government in China between 1945 and 1950. It is a revisionist interpretation of cold war history drawn from a study of Anglo-American relations with regard to Chinese politics during this period. Traditional interpretations have emphasised the unchallenged nature of American involvement in China after the war. The thesis argues that during this period Britain actively sought to compete for such a predominant position, and specifically that the Foreign Office sought to replace the United States with Britain as the preeminent Western influence in post-war Chinese politics. To this end, Britain gradually moved its policy from one of cooperation with the United States to one of competition. Whilst originally seeking collaboration with Washington, the Foreign Office became increasingly frustrated with the problems within the American policymaking machinery, and ultimately pursued a unilateral position in China. This was most evident after
Watson, Robert Emmerson
History
The Foreign Office and policy-making in China, 1945-1950 : Anglo-American relations and the recognition of Communist China. The thesis contributes to the broad body of literature which examines the role of Great Britain in the origins of the Cold War. In particular it focuses on the Foreign Office attitude towards the course of the Chinese Civil War, and ultimately the establishment of a Communist government in China between 1945 and 1950. It is a revisionist interpretation of cold war history drawn from a study of Anglo-American relations with regard to Chinese politics during this period. Traditional interpretations have emphasised the unchallenged nature of American involvement in China after the war. The thesis argues that during this period Britain actively sought to compete for such a predominant position, and specifically that the Foreign Office sought to replace the United States with Britain as the preeminent Western influence in post-war Chinese politics. To this end, Britain gradually moved its policy from one of cooperation with the United States to one of competition. Whilst originally seeking collaboration with Washington, the Foreign Office became increasingly frustrated with the problems within the American policymaking machinery, and ultimately pursued a unilateral position in China. This was most evident after
foreign_office policy_making china anglo_american_relation recognition communist china contributes broad body_literature examine_role great_britain origins cold_war particular_focus foreign_office attitude_towards course chinese civil_war ultimately establishment communist government china revisionist interpretation cold_war history drawn study anglo_american_relation regard chinese politics period traditional_interpretation emphasise unchallenged nature american involvement china war argues period britain actively seek compete predominant position specifically foreign_office seek replace united_states britain preeminent western_influence post_war chinese politics end britain gradually move policy cooperation united_states competition whilst originally seek collaboration washington foreign_office become_increasingly frustrate problem within american policymaking machinery ultimately unilateral position china evident