Introduction
This timeline explores a world with a reverse Sino-Soviet Split, where Stalin lived until 1964 but Mao died in 1953, leaving Liu Shaoqi as his successor, who ushers in a period of de-Maoization and ruling until his death in 1985. Then, Deng Xiaoping became the leader of China, instituting reforms known as Zhishuang ("Openness") and Chongzu ("Restructuring"), but is assassinated in 1989 by Maoist hardliners, descending the nation into chaos, starting a civil war, lasting until 1995 when the Kuomintang took control over mainland China. East Turkestan and Tibet had gained independence, the latter fighting another war against the Kuomintang in 1997 for control of Qinghai, and Inner Mongolia had joined the People's Republic of Mongolia. There will be some other historical differences too, but the main focus is an alternate Cold War.
Timeline
1948
- Thomas E. Dewey defeats Harry Truman in the 1948 United States Presidential Elections.
1952
- Soviet leader Joseph Stalin sends a note to the western allies. Stalin proposed the peaceful reunification of Germany, and this new united Germany be unconditionally neutral. This is met with enthusiasm in East and West Germany, however, Britain, France and the US are skepical.
1953
- Mao Zedong dies from a heart attack. The leader, though his reign was brutal, was mourned throughout the nation. Liu Shaoqi, a reformer, ascends to his postition.