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Prior to 1895, Formosa and its adjacent islands were under the dominion of the Japanese Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before 1895, Formosa and its surrounding islands were under the governance of Qing China. Sovereignty was ceded to Japan only after the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895.
The Cairo Declaration of 1943 mandated that Formosa would be repatriated to China following Japan's surrender in World War II.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cairo Declaration of 1943 explicitly stated that jurisdiction over Formosa and its nearby islands would be returned to China once Japan surrendered, a commitment the U.S. formally acknowledged.
In January 1950, U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson asserted that the U.S. Government would militarily intervene to safeguard Formosa.
Answer: False
Explanation: In January 1950, Secretary of State Dean Acheson declared a policy of neutrality, explicitly stating that the U.S. Government would 'not get involved militarily in any way on the Island' of Formosa.
The commencement of the Korean War in June 1950 prompted President Eisenhower to deploy the American navy into the Taiwan Strait to avert a People's Republic of China (PRC) assault on Formosa.
Answer: True
Explanation: The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, amidst worsening circumstances, led President Eisenhower to order the American navy into the Taiwan Strait to prevent a potential PRC attack on Formosa, marking a significant policy shift.
Subsequent to the Chinese Civil War, Western powers predominantly recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the Chinese Civil War, Western powers generally perceived the Republic of China (ROC) as China's only legitimate government, and the ROC maintained its seat at the United Nations.
The U.S. formally recognized China's entitlement to reclaim territories, including Formosa, that had been seized by Japan after World War II.
Answer: True
Explanation: After Japan's defeat in World War II, the United States formally acknowledged China's right to reclaim all territories, including Formosa, that Japan had taken from it, as outlined in the Cairo Declaration of 1943.
The People's Republic of China's seizure of U.S. consular property in Beijing and its alliance with the Soviet Union were factors contributing to the decline of U.S.-PRC relations in the early 1950s.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the early 1950s, U.S.-PRC relations deteriorated after the PRC seized all U.S. consular property in Beijing and signed the 1950 Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union.
What was the political status of Formosa and its adjacent islands before 1895?
Answer: Under the governance of Qing China
Explanation: Prior to 1895, Formosa and its nearby islands were under the governance of Qing China, before being ceded to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War.
What commitment did the Cairo Declaration of 1943 establish concerning Formosa's future?
Answer: Jurisdiction over Formosa would be returned to China once Japan surrendered.
Explanation: The Cairo Declaration of 1943 stipulated that jurisdiction over Formosa and its nearby islands would be returned to China once Japan surrendered in World War II.
What was the U.S. Government's stated policy regarding military engagement in Formosa in January 1950?
Answer: A statement of neutrality, explicitly declaring non-involvement.
Explanation: In January 1950, U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson issued a statement of neutrality, explicitly declaring non-involvement in Formosa militarily.
Which of the subsequent actions by the People's Republic of China contributed to the worsening of U.S.-PRC relations in the early 1950s?
Answer: Seizing all U.S. consular property in Beijing.
Explanation: In the early 1950s, U.S.-PRC relations deteriorated after the PRC seized all U.S. consular property in Beijing, among other actions.
How did the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 affect President Eisenhower's decision concerning the Taiwan Strait?
Answer: He ordered the American navy to position itself in the Taiwan Strait to prevent a PRC attack.
Explanation: The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 prompted President Eisenhower to order the American navy into the Taiwan Strait to prevent a possible attack on Formosa by the PRC.
What was the dominant international perception among Western powers regarding the Republic of China's government following the Chinese Civil War?
Answer: They perceived the ROC as China's only legitimate government.
Explanation: After the Chinese Civil War, Western powers generally perceived the Republic of China (ROC) as China's only legitimate government, and the ROC maintained its seat at the United Nations.
The Formosa Resolution of 1955 constituted a unilateral declaration by the U.S. President, circumventing the requirement for Congressional approval.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution of 1955 was a joint resolution, requiring and receiving approval from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate before being signed into law by President Eisenhower.
The principal objective of the Formosa Resolution of 1955 was to explicitly affirm the Republic of China's government as the sole legitimate authority in China.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary objective of the Formosa Resolution was to deter a PRC invasion of Taiwan, not to explicitly endorse the Republic of China's government as the sole legitimate authority. It aimed to prevent conflict without overtly taking sides.
By the mid-1950s, the United States had cultivated robust trade relations with the People's Republic of China.
Answer: False
Explanation: By the mid-1950s, the United States had implemented a trade embargo and a policy of isolation and containment against the PRC, not robust trade relations.
Between 1952 and 1954, the Eisenhower administration allocated over one billion U.S. dollars in military assistance to Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: Between 1952 and 1954, the Eisenhower administration provided approximately US$940 million in military aid and US$527 million in economic aid to Taiwan, totaling approximately US$1.4 billion, but military aid alone was under a billion.
The Chinese Communist Party initiated a heavy artillery bombardment of Quemoy and Matsu in September 1954.
Answer: True
Explanation: On September 3, 1954, the Chinese Communist Party commenced a heavy artillery bombing of the islands of Quemoy and Matsu, which were strategically important to the Republic of China.
The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was executed in December 1954, thereby formalizing a defense alliance between the United States and the Republic of China.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed on December 2, 1954, formalizing a defense alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of China, alongside other Pacific security agreements.
President Eisenhower formally sought Congressional authorization to employ military force for Taiwan's defense on January 6, 1955.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Eisenhower formally requested Congressional permission to use military force to defend Taiwan on January 24, 1955, not January 6, 1955. On January 6, he submitted the Mutual Defense Treaty for ratification.
The U.S. House of Representatives sanctioned the resolution to defend Formosa through a unanimous vote.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. House of Representatives approved the resolution to defend Formosa by a vote of 410–3, not unanimously.
The Formosa Resolution promptly resolved the Taiwan Strait Crisis and mitigated hostilities between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC).
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution did not immediately resolve the Taiwan Strait Crisis, nor did it alleviate the existing hostility between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China.
The Formosa Resolution augmented the purview of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty by incorporating the defense of offshore islands.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution broadened the scope of the Mutual Defense Treaty by extending U.S. commitments to defend against PRC incursions not only on Taiwan but also on the offshore islands.
The Formosa Resolution conferred upon the U.S. President the authority to deploy armed forces for the defense of Formosa and the Pescadores against armed aggression.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution granted the U.S. president the authority 'to employ the Armed Forces of the United States as he deems necessary for the specific purpose of securing and protecting Formosa and the Pescadores against armed attack.'
The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954–1955) was defined by amicable negotiations between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954–1955) was characterized by armed conflict and incursions by the Chinese Communist Party on islands controlled by the Kuomintang, not peaceful negotiations.
President Eisenhower sought the Formosa Resolution owing to a perceived absence of resolute action from the United Nations Security Council.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Eisenhower requested the Formosa Resolution in January 1955 because of a perceived lack of decisive action or a 'latent response' from the United Nations Security Council regarding the escalating Taiwan Strait Crisis.
The United Nations Security Council promptly resolved the Formosa problem subsequent to the U.S. Senate's approval of the resolution.
Answer: False
Explanation: Although the Formosa problem garnered the attention of the U.N. Security Council after the U.S. Senate's approval, the issue was effectively dropped from the agenda because the PRC refused to participate in the discussion.
In what year did the U.S. Senate pass the Formosa Resolution, and President Eisenhower subsequently sign it into law?
Answer: 1955
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution was passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on January 29, 1955.
What constituted the primary objective of the Formosa Resolution of 1955?
Answer: To counteract the threat of an invasion of Taiwan by the People's Republic of China.
Explanation: The primary objective of the Formosa Resolution of 1955 was to deter a potential invasion of Taiwan (Formosa) by the People's Republic of China.
Which significant international crisis provided the context for the formulation of the Formosa Resolution?
Answer: The Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954–1955)
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution was formulated in response to the Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954–1955), a period of armed conflict and incursions by the Chinese Communist Party.
What economic and diplomatic policies did the United States enact towards the People's Republic of China by the mid-1950s?
Answer: A policy of isolation and containment.
Explanation: By the mid-1950s, the United States initiated a trade embargo and adopted a policy of isolation and containment directed at the PRC.
What was the approximate aggregate U.S. aid (economic and military) extended to Taiwan by the Eisenhower administration between 1952 and 1954?
Answer: Approximately US$1.4 billion
Explanation: Between 1952 and 1954, the Eisenhower administration provided approximately US$527 million in economic aid and US$940 million in military aid to Taiwan, totaling approximately US$1.4 billion.
What military action did the Chinese Communist Party undertake on September 3, 1954?
Answer: A heavy artillery bombing of Quemoy and Matsu.
Explanation: On September 3, 1954, the Chinese Communist Party commenced a heavy artillery bombing of the islands of Quemoy and Matsu.
Which pivotal defense agreement was formalized between the U.S. and the Republic of China on December 2, 1954?
Answer: The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty
Explanation: On December 2, 1954, the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed between the U.S. and the Republic of China, formalizing a defense alliance.
On what date did President Eisenhower formally request Congressional authorization to employ military force for Taiwan's defense?
Answer: January 24, 1955
Explanation: President Eisenhower formally requested permission from Congress to use military force to defend Taiwan on January 24, 1955.
What was the vote tally in the U.S. House of Representatives for the resolution to defend Formosa?
Answer: 410–3
Explanation: The U.S. House of Representatives approved the resolution requested by President Eisenhower by a vote of 410–3 on January 25, 1955.
How did the United Nations Security Council react to the Formosa problem subsequent to the U.S. Senate's approval of the resolution?
Answer: The issue was effectively dropped from the agenda because the PRC refused to participate.
Explanation: The Formosa problem garnered the attention of the U.N. Security Council after the U.S. Senate's approval, but the issue was effectively dropped from the agenda because the PRC refused to participate in the discussion.
What was the implicit objective of the Formosa Resolution concerning U.S. support for the Republic of China's government?
Answer: To prevent further military conflict without explicitly taking sides with Formosa.
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution's intention was to prevent further military conflict between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China without explicitly taking sides with Formosa.
In what manner did the Formosa Resolution broaden the scope of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty?
Answer: It extended U.S. commitments to defend against PRC incursions on offshore islands as well.
Explanation: The Formosa Resolution broadened the scope of the Mutual Defense Treaty by extending U.S. commitments to defend against PRC incursions not only on Taiwan but also on the offshore islands.
In March 1955, U.S. officials publicly cautioned about the potential deployment of nuclear weapons if the Taiwan Strait Crisis continued.
Answer: True
Explanation: As the Taiwan Strait Crisis persisted into March 1955, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, publicly warned of the potential use of nuclear weapons.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff advised against the utilization of nuclear weapons should the People's Republic of China launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan in September 1955.
Answer: False
Explanation: On September 12, 1955, the Joint Chiefs of Staff advised President Eisenhower that nuclear weapons should be used against the PRC if it launched a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.
The Eisenhower administration exploited the implied threat of nuclear weapons to secure a temporary cessation of hostilities with the People's Republic of China.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Eisenhower administration ensured Beijing was cognizant of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's recommendation for nuclear weapons use, which contributed to achieving a temporary truce with the PRC.
By May 1957, the United States had furnished Taiwan with Matador missiles, which possessed the capability to carry nuclear warheads.
Answer: True
Explanation: By May 1957, the United States provided Taiwan with Matador missiles, which were capable of carrying nuclear warheads, significantly enhancing Taiwan's defensive capabilities.
During the Second Quemoy Crisis in 1958, President Eisenhower threatened to employ conventional forces but unequivocally excluded the use of nuclear weapons.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Second Quemoy Crisis in 1958, President Eisenhower once again threatened to use nuclear weapons, not just conventional forces, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The Taiwan Strait conflict was reignited following a temporary truce when Taiwan initiated military reinforcement of Quemoy and Matsu.
Answer: True
Explanation: The conflict was revived after a temporary truce when Taiwan began military reinforcement of the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu, a move perceived as provocative.
What public warnings did U.S. officials disseminate in March 1955 as the Taiwan Strait Crisis endured?
Answer: Warnings of the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Explanation: As the Taiwan Strait Crisis continued into early spring 1955, U.S. officials publicly warned of the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Which actions by the People's Republic of China in April and May 1955 temporarily de-escalated tensions during the Taiwan Strait Crisis?
Answer: An announcement of willingness to negotiate on Taiwan and cessation of bombardment.
Explanation: Tensions were temporarily alleviated in April 1955 when the PRC announced its willingness to negotiate on Taiwan and ceased its bombardment of Quemoy and Matsu.
What strategic recommendation did the Joint Chiefs of Staff offer to President Eisenhower on September 12, 1955, regarding a potential People's Republic of China invasion of Taiwan?
Answer: That nuclear weapons should be used against the PRC.
Explanation: On September 12, 1955, the Joint Chiefs of Staff advised President Eisenhower that nuclear weapons should be used against the PRC if it launched a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.
By May 1957, what advanced military equipment did the United States provide to Taiwan?
Answer: Matador missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads
Explanation: By May 1957, the United States provided Taiwan with Matador missiles, which were capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
In the 1970s, the United States severed its formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China as a precondition for re-establishing ties with the Republic of China.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 1970s, the U.S. terminated its formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China as a prerequisite for resuming diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
President Richard Nixon initiated a policy of rapprochement with China in the 1970s primarily to bolster relations with the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Richard Nixon pursued rapprochement with China in the 1970s to exploit the Sino-Soviet split and shift the global balance of power towards the West, not to strengthen ties with the Soviet Union.
The 1979 Joint Communiqué unequivocally endorsed China's territorial claims over Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 1979 Joint Communiqué, the U.S. only acknowledged China's claims over Taiwan, rather than explicitly endorsing them, reflecting a nuanced diplomatic position.
The Taiwan Relations Act authorized the ongoing provision of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Taiwan Relations Act, approved in April 1979, permitted the continuation of commercial and cultural relations, as well as arms sales, between the U.S. and Taiwan.
The 'Six Assurances' extended by the Reagan administration to Taiwan incorporated a commitment to discontinue arms sales to Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Six Assurances' provided by the Reagan administration to Taiwan included a pledge to *not* cease arms sales to Taiwan, among other reassurances.
The third joint communiqué, signed in 1982 by the Reagan administration, reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to the One China policy.
Answer: True
Explanation: The signing of the third joint communiqué in 1982 by the Reagan administration reiterated the U.S.' allegiance to the One China policy, a core principle of U.S. foreign policy.
President Reagan's administration fortified relations with China primarily owing to his personal advocacy for Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite President Reagan's personal support for Taiwan, his administration strengthened ties with China due to strategic fears of Soviet expansion during the Cold War era.
President Carter, in 1979, signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping.
Answer: True
Explanation: The rapprochement between the U.S. and the PRC concluded in 1979 with the signing of the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations by President Carter and Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping.
The Taiwan Relations Act reinstated U.S. relations with Taiwan while concurrently rescinding U.S. recognition of the People's Republic of China.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Taiwan Relations Act restored U.S. relations with Taiwan while simultaneously maintaining the U.S.' recognition of the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China.
What significant transformation characterized U.S. diplomatic relations with the Republic of China during the 1970s?
Answer: The U.S. terminated its formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China.
Explanation: In the 1970s, the U.S. terminated its formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China as a prerequisite for resuming diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
What strategic imperative underpinned President Richard Nixon's policy of rapprochement with China in the 1970s?
Answer: To exploit the Sino-Soviet split and shift the global balance of power.
Explanation: President Richard Nixon pursued rapprochement with China in the 1970s, motivated by a desire to exploit the Sino-Soviet split and shift the global balance of power towards the West.
Which events marked the culmination of the rapprochement between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China in the 1970s?
Answer: President Nixon's 1972 visit to China and the 1979 Joint Communiqué.
Explanation: The rapprochement between the U.S. and the PRC began with President Nixon's 1972 visit to China and concluded in 1979 with the signing of the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.
How did the 1979 Joint Communiqué articulate the U.S. position regarding China's claims over Taiwan?
Answer: The U.S. only acknowledged China's claims over Taiwan, rather than explicitly endorsing them.
Explanation: In the 1979 Joint Communiqué, the U.S. only acknowledged China's claims over Taiwan, rather than explicitly endorsing them, reflecting a nuanced diplomatic position.
What constituted a pivotal element of the 'Six Assurances' that the Reagan administration extended to Taiwan in the 1980s?
Answer: Pledges to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act and not cease arms sales to Taiwan.
Explanation: The 'Six Assurances' included pledges by the U.S. to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act, to refrain from intervening in ongoing disputes, and to not cease arms sales to Taiwan.
Which agreement in August 1982 resulted in the normalization of relations between the United States and China?
Answer: The third joint communiqué agreement with the PRC's government
Explanation: In August 1982, the Reagan administration signed the third joint communiqué agreement with the PRC's government, which effectively normalized relations between the U.S. and China.
What strategic rationale led President Reagan's administration to strengthen ties with China, notwithstanding his personal affinity for Taiwan?
Answer: Due to fears of Soviet expansion during the Cold War era.
Explanation: Despite President Reagan's personal support for Taiwan, his administration was pressured to strengthen ties with China due to fears of Soviet expansion during the Cold War era.
The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996 was marked by a full-scale naval invasion of Taiwan by China.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996 was characterized by Chinese missile tests conducted in the waters near Taiwan, not a full-scale naval invasion.
The Chinese missile tests conducted during the 1996 Third Taiwan Strait Crisis effectively influenced Taiwanese voters to oppose pro-independence candidates.
Answer: False
Explanation: Despite the Chinese missile tests aimed at influencing the election, the incumbent Kuomintang president, Lee Teng-hui, a pro-independence leaning candidate, won Taiwan's first free presidential election by a large margin.
Donald Trump's telephone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 conformed to established U.S. diplomatic protocol concerning China.
Answer: False
Explanation: Donald Trump's telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 broke the established U.S. code of conduct towards China, raising questions about the U.S.' commitment to its One-China policy.
Notwithstanding its adherence to the One China policy, the U.S. persists in furnishing defense assistance to Taiwan in the 21st century.
Answer: True
Explanation: Despite honoring the One China policy, the U.S. continues to maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan, which notably include the provision of defense aid, reflecting a complex and nuanced diplomatic relationship.
What event primarily defined the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996?
Answer: Chinese missile tests conducted in the waters near Taiwan.
Explanation: The Third Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1996 was characterized by Chinese missile tests conducted in the waters near Taiwan, representing a significant military demonstration by the PRC.
What was the projected political consequence of China's missile tests during the 1996 Third Taiwan Strait Crisis?
Answer: To influence Taiwanese voters against pro-independence candidates.
Explanation: The Chinese missile tests during the 1996 Third Taiwan Strait Crisis were intended to influence Taiwanese voters against pro-independence candidates in Taiwan's first free presidential election.
What was the result of Taiwan's inaugural free presidential election in March 1996, notwithstanding external pressures?
Answer: The incumbent Kuomintang president, Lee Teng-hui, won by a large margin.
Explanation: Despite Chinese missile tests aimed at influencing the election, the incumbent Kuomintang president, Lee Teng-hui, won Taiwan's first free presidential election by a large margin in March 1996.
How did Donald Trump's actions in 2016 diverge from established U.S. diplomatic protocol concerning China?
Answer: He engaged in a telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
Explanation: Donald Trump broke established U.S. diplomatic protocol towards China by engaging in a telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.
What characterizes the contemporary unofficial U.S. relationship with Taiwan in the 21st century, notwithstanding adherence to the One China policy?
Answer: The U.S. maintains unofficial ties, including the provision of defense aid.
Explanation: Despite honoring the One China policy, the U.S. continues to maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan, which notably include the provision of defense aid.