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The Sino-Soviet split marked a significant shift in the global order during the 20th century. Initially, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong maintained a close alliance. However, upon Stalin's death, Nikita Khrushchev's descent into destalinization led to friction between the two. Mao's "Great Leap Forward" attempt to surpass Soviet industrialization exacerbated these tensions.
By the late 1960s, the estrangement had deepened, leading to a growing divide between the two leading Communist powers in Asia.