Taiwan - Cold War

1. Where are the island of Quemoy and Matsu?
Quemoy and Matsu are about 8 miles off the coast of mainland china, and they are between Taiwan and China.
2. Who is Chaing Kai-Shek and why did he come to Taiwan?
He was the leader of democratic which was against Mao. He attempted to eradicate the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but the CCP defeated Chiang Kai-Shek. Chiang Kai-Shek retreated to Taiwan.
3. Was Chaing’s move to Taiwan a sign that he and the KMT had decided to give up the fight against Mao and Communist Chinese?
No, Chaing’s move to Taiwan was not a sign that he and KMT had decided to give up the fight against Mao and Communist Chinese. He was forced to retreated to Taiwan, and he’s original plane was to rebuild his military at Taiwan and fight back.
4. Why does the US change its mind about defending Taiwan?
5. Why doesn’t Mao finish the Chinese Civil War by invading Taiwan in 1950?
Mao doesn’t finish the Chinese Civil War by invading Taiwan in 1950 because Mao thought Taiwan and the US were together, so he was afraid if he invades Taiwan, there will be a war.
6. In what ways can we say that smaller allies like China and Taiwan were able to make the superpowers (US and Soviets) do things they did not want to do?
Smaller allies were able to make the superpowers do things they did not want to do because Taiwan and China were fighting against (democratic vs. communist), and Mao sees the US as enemy. The US and Soviet Union were also fighting for it, so they have to support them.