1. The background to the Korean War (1950-1953) Flashcards
Why was the “Cold War” given its name?
There was no direct action/fighting between the USA and USSR.
Was the USA capitalist or communist?
Capitalist
Was the USSR capitalist or communist?
Communist
Identify two values that capitalist America believed in.
- Democracy (with elections and different political parties).
- The freedom for individuals to run their own businesses and make profits.
Identify two values that the communist USSR believed in.
- One-party state.
2. State (government) control over the economy and the distribution (sharing) of wealth.
How would you describe relations between the USA and USSR during the Cold War?
- Extremely tense
- Hostile
- Competitive
What happened to countries in Eastern Europe after the Second World War?
By 1948, the majority of countries had become communist and under the influence of the USSR.
What was the Truman Doctrine, announced by America in 1947?
America’s policy of “containment” – preventing the spread of communism.
How did America try to prevent the spread of communism?
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).
Which country in Asia became communist in 1949?
China
How had America tried to prevent China from turning communist?
They had given the Nationalists (who were fighting against the Communists in China) $2 billion to help them to defeat the Communists.
Who became the leader of the People’s Republic of China in 1949?
Mao Zedong
What fear had arisen in America in the late-1940s / early-1950s?
The Red Scare – the fear of communism spreading to America.
What was the “domino theory” which was believed in America?
The belief that if one country turns communist, other countries nearby will also fall to communism.
Which country controlled Korea from 1910 to the end of the Second World war in 1945?
Japan
Who liberated (freed) Korea from Japanese control after the Second World War?
The Soviet Union liberated the Northern region of the country, and the USA liberated the South.
What happened to North Korea after the Second World War?
It became a communist country and introduced a Soviet-style one-party system of government.
Who was the leader of North Korea after the Second World War?
Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung
What happened to South Korea after the Second World War?
The country was anti-Communist. Even though it was not very democratic, it won the support of the Americans.
Who was the leader of South Korea after the Second World war?
President Syngman Rhee
What was the name of the border between North and South Korea?
The 38th parallel
Was the division of Korea after the Second World War supposed to be permanent or temporary?
Temporary
What was expected to take place in Korea in the year 1948?
Elections to re-unite the country.
What happened to relations between North and South Korea after the Second World War?
Relations soured and became increasingly tense, as the North followed communist policies and the South capitalist policies.
Did elections take place in Korea in 1948, as planned? If not, what happened instead?
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.
