After hearing the oft quoted line of "Only Nixon could go to China...". The AH Challenge is to create an ATL, wherein Kennedy established relations with China, and that China is controlled by a far right-wing version of the Kuomingtang. You don't even have to use John F. Kennedy...
AH Challenge: "Only Kennedy Could Go to China..."
- Thread starter Mr_ Bondoc
- Start date
If the Guomindang was in control of China, there would be no need for the US to re-open relationships with them. During the '30s and '40s, the ROC was the only Chinese state recognized by the US, and only until well past '49 did the US see fit to drop recognition of Taiwan.
Better still, JFK is never assassinated and successfully wins re-election in 1964. All US military personnel are withdrawn from South Vietnam on schedule at the end of 1965. Meanwhile, the Cultural Revolution never happens in China as per OTL and the Kennedy Administration begins secret negotiations with the Chinese in 1966 with Pakistan and/or Romania or Tanzania acting as middlemen (These countries were probably the only major countries to enjoy good relations with China in the Sixties apart from Albania). A breakthrough is achieved and JFK and Jackie arrive in Beijing in 1967 and the US re-establishes diplomatic ties with China. Kennedy, obviously no fan of China, dumps Taiwan or better still, maintains low-level relations with the ROC as per OTL. JFK also goes to Moscow in '67.
Comments?
Comments?
Then again, there have been a few ATLs on the site wherein Nationalist China allies itself with Germany during World War II...
Bulletsfromthegrassyknoll
Banned
Well, JFK wasn't exactly known for his anti-commie stances. His dad and brother were, though.
JFK proved he could stand up to the communists in the Cuban missile crisis. A lot more impressive thing to do than a Nixon vs Khrushchev kitchen debate. He would have no problem going to China like Nixon did. It was the thing to do. Plus he was no chicken hawk. He fought in WW2 when he did not have too. His bad back would have kept most men out of the war.
What follows may be slightly implausible, and requires multiple POD's. First, Robert Kennedy is selected by Joseph McCarthy, and not Roy Cohn. McCarthy's period of influence is probably longer without Cohn, for the simple fact that the Army-McCarthy hearings never happen. But McCarthy probably peters out anyway with Eisenhower in the White House. Perhaps I'm wrong, but my sense is McCarthy fades into irrelevancy soon enough, even without Roy Cohn. But Kennedy has made something of a name for himself with McCarthy. After his work with Senator McCarthy, he has a reputation as a virulent anticommunist.
Second, sometime after Robert Kennedy leaves McCarthy's service, but before the 1960 Presidential election, his brother dies. (Not sure how plausible that is, this is for the sake of argument.) RFK becomes the center of his families political aspirations while he is still associated with intense anticommunism in the public mind. He becomes a Senator as soon as it is practicable.
Senator Kennedy is viewed, thanks to his past association with McCarthy, as a very conservative Democrat, albeit one who is more flexible where Civil Rights is concerned than a Strom Thurmond.
Eventually, Senator Robert Kennedy, the arch-anticommunist, wins his party's nomination. Even though he is a Democrat, his anticommunist credentials are as unquestionable as Richard Nixon. When President Robert Kennedy eventually decides to reach out to China under circumstances similar to what was occurring under the historical Nixon Presidency, supporters within the President's political party say amongst themselves that "Only Robert Kennedy could have gone to China"
I know, serious plausibility issues. And I fully expect to be torn apart by those more familiar with Kennedy's biography than I.
Second, sometime after Robert Kennedy leaves McCarthy's service, but before the 1960 Presidential election, his brother dies. (Not sure how plausible that is, this is for the sake of argument.) RFK becomes the center of his families political aspirations while he is still associated with intense anticommunism in the public mind. He becomes a Senator as soon as it is practicable.
Senator Kennedy is viewed, thanks to his past association with McCarthy, as a very conservative Democrat, albeit one who is more flexible where Civil Rights is concerned than a Strom Thurmond.
Eventually, Senator Robert Kennedy, the arch-anticommunist, wins his party's nomination. Even though he is a Democrat, his anticommunist credentials are as unquestionable as Richard Nixon. When President Robert Kennedy eventually decides to reach out to China under circumstances similar to what was occurring under the historical Nixon Presidency, supporters within the President's political party say amongst themselves that "Only Robert Kennedy could have gone to China"
I know, serious plausibility issues. And I fully expect to be torn apart by those more familiar with Kennedy's biography than I.
Constantinople
Banned
I was going to answer: only Nixon could have gone to China, then I realized how silly I would have sounded. Though its true, only Nixon had the clout to do it.
Actually, multiple PODs are actually more plausible in the context of an ATL.
In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas for how a Kuomingtang-controlled China could the source of international tensions. Just consider that PODs can stretch as far back as 1900...