Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Wallace, Henry A--(Henry Agard), --1888-1965; United States--Foreign relations--China; China--Foreign relations--United States; China; United States; Diplomatic relations;
Abstract
The views of Henry A. Wallace with respect to China underwent a number of changes through the years. One constant theme ran throughout all of his references to the "Middle Kingdom," however--the importance of that nation to world peace and prosperity. Wallace publicly affirmed his support for the Chinese Nationalist Government during his diplomatic mission to Soviet Asia in 1944, but in a private report to President Roosevelt confided his true criticisms of and fears for Chiang's regime. He termed the present Kuomintang leadership "reactionary," and called upon the United States to be ready to shift its support if a more promising leader or group should appear. Wallace, a liberal idealist throughout most of his life, tended to view the Chinese Communists more sympathetically. He portrayed them as progressive "argarian reformers," who sought only to lead the common man of China in his march for freedom and a higher standard of living. By 1947 Wallace advocated complete withdrawal from the internal affairs of China. He argued that American aid to Chiang would not stop the spread of Communism in China, but instead serve to arouse China's hatred for the United States and drive that country into the arms of Soviet Russia. After the victory of Mao Tse-tung's forces on the mainland in 1949, Wallace continued to hope for cordial Sino-American relations, and urged immediate seating of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. As the reality of Chinese Communism became inescapable by the early 1950's, however, Wallace modified his earlier views on China to salvage what remained of his reputation. Yet he continued to provide a needed balance in American politics during the Cold War era, as he shunned blind fear of Communism and stressed the benefits which would accrue from a humanistic foreign policy.
Year of Submission
1978
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of History
First Advisor
Donald R. Whitnah
Second Advisor
Hsi-Ling Cheng
Third Advisor
Donald E. Shepardson
Date Original
1978
Object Description
1 PDF file (107 leaves)
Copyright
©1978 Linda Eichmeyer Clarkson
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Clarkson, Linda Eichmeyer, "Henry A. Wallace and China" (1978). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2358.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2358
Comments
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