1. The background to the Korean War (1950-1953)

Question 1

Why was the “Cold War” given its name?

Answer 1

There was no direct action/fighting between the USA and USSR.

Question 2

Was the USA capitalist or communist?

Answer 2

Capitalist

Question 3

Was the USSR capitalist or communist?

Answer 3

Communist

Question 4

Identify two values that capitalist America believed in.

Answer 4

1. Democracy (with elections and different political parties).
2. The freedom for individuals to run their own businesses and make profits.

Question 5

Identify two values that the communist USSR believed in.

Answer 5

1. One-party state.

2. State (government) control over the economy and the distribution (sharing) of wealth.

Question 6

How would you describe relations between the USA and USSR during the Cold War?

Answer 6

1. Extremely tense
2. Hostile
3. Competitive

Question 7

What happened to countries in Eastern Europe after the Second World War?

Answer 7

By 1948, the majority of countries had become communist and under the influence of the USSR.

Question 8

What was the Truman Doctrine, announced by America in 1947?

Answer 8

America’s policy of “containment” – preventing the spread of communism.

Question 9

How did America try to prevent the spread of communism?

Answer 9

It gave countries financial aid (e.g. The Marshall Plan in 1948 saw $13 billion given to countries in Europe, and $2 billion was given to Nationalists in China).

Question 10

Which country in Asia became communist in 1949?

Answer 10

China

Question 11

How had America tried to prevent China from turning communist?

Answer 11

They had given the Nationalists (who were fighting against the Communists in China) $2 billion to help them to defeat the Communists.

Question 12

Who became the leader of the People’s Republic of China in 1949?

Answer 12

Mao Zedong

Question 13

What fear had arisen in America in the late-1940s / early-1950s?

Answer 13

The Red Scare – the fear of communism spreading to America.

Question 14

What was the “domino theory” which was believed in America?

Answer 14

The belief that if one country turns communist, other countries nearby will also fall to communism.

Question 15

Which country controlled Korea from 1910 to the end of the Second World war in 1945?

Answer 15

Japan

Question 16

Who liberated (freed) Korea from Japanese control after the Second World War?

Answer 16

The Soviet Union liberated the Northern region of the country, and the USA liberated the South.

Question 17

What happened to North Korea after the Second World War?

Answer 17

It became a communist country and introduced a Soviet-style one-party system of government.

Question 18

Who was the leader of North Korea after the Second World War?

Answer 18

Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung

Question 19

What happened to South Korea after the Second World War?

Answer 19

The country was anti-Communist. Even though it was not very democratic, it won the support of the Americans.

Question 20

Who was the leader of South Korea after the Second World war?

Answer 20

President Syngman Rhee

Question 21

What was the name of the border between North and South Korea?

Answer 21

The 38th parallel

Question 22

Was the division of Korea after the Second World War supposed to be permanent or temporary?

Answer 22

Temporary

Question 23

What was expected to take place in Korea in the year 1948?

Answer 23

Elections to re-unite the country.

Question 24

What happened to relations between North and South Korea after the Second World War?

Answer 24

Relations soured and became increasingly tense, as the North followed communist policies and the South capitalist policies.

Question 25

Did elections take place in Korea in 1948, as planned? If not, what happened instead?

Answer 25

No.

Instead, President Syngman Rhee held and won elections in South Korea in 1948, while Kim Il Sung announced North Korea was a separate and independent communist Republic.