To what extent were relations between PRC and USSR affected by differences over

ideology?

All things considered, on paper the USSR and PRC should have been quite good allies. They were
both some of the world’s leading superpowers and most importantly they were both communists
who believed in a form of Marxism-Leninism. When the context of the cold war is taken into
account, one would assume that both these communist powers would be united over a common
enemy, the USA. However, this wasn’t the case. Whilst never being enemies, relations between the
USSR and PRC were hardly great. The PRC and USSR arguably became rivals more than they became
allies and differences in ideology was one factor which resulted in the formation of this rival status.
However, it is not the only factor that led to a weak PRC and USSR relationship. Others include the
role of individuals, the effect of a power struggle and the impact of events.

The first rift between the PRC and the USSR appeared in the field of ideology. Both the CCP and the
CPSU were committed believers in Marxism-Leninism. They both wanted to completely integrate the
ideas of communism into their respective societies and both wanted to expand communism globally.
Thus, ideology should have provided a common language and framework for co operation between
the two communist powers. But it did not. Instead smaller differences in ideology proved to be a
major factor in creating division. The first ideological difference is in terms of the revolutionary
strategy. The CCP and Mao believed that peasantry was the key to overthrowing the ruling elites,
this was at odds with the view held by the USSR who believed that the proletariat was the key to
revolution, not the peasantry. Additionally, there was a disagreement in 1955. At this time the
Chinese, who faced economic problems, wanted to revert to the rapid economic development
policies that Stalin used in the 1930s , by pushing ahead with rapid industrialisation and
collectivisation in a policy that became known as the great leap forward. The soviets were opposed
to this policy and withdrew their economic advisors and support for the PRC in 1960. Thus, due to
ideological differences, a rift was created between the two nations. The different opinion over how
to build a communist nation had created an opportunity for disagreement and had created division
between the two sides. Thus, their relationship deteriorated, and the two parties went from friends
to rivals. However, it should be said that this factor is a longer term one. This does not undermine its
significance though as ideology underpins many of the other factors which would help to lead to the
deterioration of relations between the USSR and PRC. Ideology is more of an underlying cause for
the deterioration of relations, creating a basis as to why the USSR and PRC should not be allies.

Another factor which was significant in helping cause a rival status to be created between the USSR
and PRC is the role of individuals, or more specifically the personality clash between Khrushchev and
Mao. Mao and Khrushchev did not get along. Mao saw Khrushchev as weak, rude and as someone
who has abandoned the traditional Marxist principles. Khrushchev held similar views towards Mao
believing that he was deluded. As the most important figures in each respective communist country
the fact that they clashed was hardly good news for Sino-Soviet relations. The first clash between
the two leaders occurred in 1956 when Khrushchev delivered a four-hour condemnation of Stalin
speech and initiated a policy of destalinisation. Mao and the Chinese leadership were appalled by
the speech, believing that it was indirectly aimed at Mao and that it was a form of revisionism. Here
ideological differences have influenced another factor, again helping in the deterioration of Sino-
Soviet relations. Mao believed that Khrushchev’s denunciation of Stalin was a form of revisionism
and signalled that the USSR was departing from Marxist-Leninist ideas. Mao and the Chinese
ultimately decided to defend Stalin and oppose all of Khrushchev’s ideological ideas like peaceful
coexistence for example. Once again ideology has led to Khrushchev and Mao clashing and by 1961,
their intractable ideological differences provoked the PRC's formal denunciation of Soviet
communism as the work of "revisionist traitors". The difference in ideology between Khrushchev and
Mao led to them clashing and thus created another factor which led to the formation of a rival status
between the PRC and USSR. Ideology acted as an underlying reason for the clash between Mao and
Khrushchev which in itself helped cause the deterioration of relations between the USSR and PRC.
Khrushchev and Mao continued to have many more disagreements, highlighting the volatile or
unstable nature of their relationship. Mao criticised the idea of Khrushchev’s peaceful coexistence
with the capitalist powers. The Chinese favoured a more militant, confrontational approach to
international relations, and condemned Khrushchev as having reneged on a central part of Marxist-
Leninist ideology: the worldwide struggle to overthrow capitalism and instate communism. Overall,
the fact that the two leaders of the two largest communist nations could not get along on a
fundamental level meant that relations would likely deteriorate.

Finally, relations between the Soviet Union and the PRC deteriorated due to the power struggle
present between the two nations, which was partially created by ideological differences. In 1950, the
USSR was on its way to become a global superpower. It sat at the centre of a web of socialist states
of which they exerted control over. China was expected to be another ally which would show loyalty
and subordinance to the USSR. However, china expected to be treated as an equal, but was instead
forced to recognise Soviet leadership. China instead spent the next 20 years proving that they were
not just another soviet satellite state. This created a power struggle as China desperately tried to
prove that they were another communist superpower to rival the likes of the Soviet Union.
Additionally, an ideological power struggle was also created. As each nation adopted
Marxism/Leninism in different ways the question of which state was the true Marxist-leninist one
arose. Both parties claimed that their model of building socialism was the correct one and called on
the other states to follow in suit (eg China and Albania). This ideological difference further helped
reinforce this power struggle and moved the USSR and PRC from being allies to being rivals, trying to
prove which method was the ‘official’ interpretation of Marxism-Leninism. This power struggle was
only further exacerbated by the 1945 Soviet – Kuomintang Treaty of Friendship and Alliance. The
treaty was clearly a ploy from Stalin to force China into being dependent, and therefore subservient,
to the USSR. Additionally, the unequal nature of this treaty, and Stalin’s tactics in driving for
territorial concessions, brought mistrust and suspicion into the relationship, helping lead to this
power struggle and formation of a rival status. This power struggle extended over into the arms race.
In mid-1957, the Chinese and soviets signed an agreement which was supposed to see the soviets
supply missiles, a sample atomic bomb, and help to build their own bomb. However, Moscow never
held up on their side of the bargain. This made china determined to make their own atomic bomb so
that they could rival the USSR militarily. Progress was rapid and by 1966 they had their own
hydrogen bomb. The soviets were now faced with a socialist military and nuclear rival. The Chinese
were not only increasingly ideologically independent of the USSR, but they could now almost match
the military might of the soviets. This created more mistrust and tension between the two sides and
exaggerated this idea of a power struggle to prove who is the strongest socialist nation. This all
ultimately helped cause the deterioration of PRC and USSR relations and turned them form potential
allies to ideological rivals. The impact of ideology on this formation of a power struggle cannot be
underestimated as it provided the groundwork for the two nations to go into competition with one
another.
In conclusion, Ideology created an unbridgeable gulf, affording no possibility of compromise. You
were either a Marxist-Leninist or a revisionist. Despite the fact that both communist states shared a
common worldwide view and common objective of building communism, their slight differences in
ideology created division, disunity and conflict. Instead of becoming communist allies they became
rivals. In addition, ideology helped create various other factors, like a clash between Khrushchev and
Mao or a power struggle, which helped lead to the deterioration of relations between the USSR and
PRC. Ideology underpinned almost every issue and every clash between the two communist states
and therefore its significance on relations cannot be underestimated.