In 1949, the People's Liberation Army arrived in Beijing -- celebrating a communist victory and the end of their decades-long civil war against the Nationalists. Led by Mao Tse-tung, the communists establish the People's Republic of China. The U.S. government, which had considered China among its allies in Asia, is devastated by the "loss" of China to the communists.

Exhausted by the long war, Mao needed external help for China's reconstruction. One of his first acts is to visit Moscow, seeking military protection and economic aid. Mao wanted to conclude a Chinese-Soviet friendship treaty with Stalin -- but the two leaders remained wary of each other. After several months of negotiation, the Chinese and the Soviets signed a mutual defense treaty -- which also guaranteed aid for China.
Next