1. The Causes and Outbreak of The Korean War

Question 1

Aims of Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee

Answer 1

• North Korea = Communist, pro-Russia + pro-China
• South Korea = anti-Communist + pro-USA
• North armed by USSR + militarily superior to South (little US aid due to fear that Rhee would attack)
• Both leaders ambitious nationalists
• Both wanted reunification but on their own terms
• Rhee wanted capitalist economy + democracy
• Kim wanted state controlled economy + single party
• Kim thought his June 1950 invasion would inspire popular rebellion against autocratic Rhee

Question 2

US Contribution to Outbreak of Korean War

Answer 2

• Secretary of State Dean Acheson - gave speech on 12 Jan 1950 - failed to specify Korea as area beyond defence perimeter that would get UN support if attacked
• Democrat chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Connally - made speech suggesting acceptance of possible communist takeover of entire Korean Peninsula
• Jan 1950 - Rep.-dominated Congress rejects bill for aid for Korea - not actually opposed to aid but trying to make point against Dem. Truman’s China policy
• May have suggested to Communists that Korea mattered little to US

Question 3

Soviet Support for Kim Il Sung

Answer 3

• Kim needed Stalin’s approval to invade - saw him as leader of world communism + wanted military aid
• 1949 - Stalin unenthusiastic - probably feared US intervention
• Gave Kim go ahead in March 1950:
  > China became Communist - USSR needed to demonstrate communist credentials - didn’t want Asian nations to look to Mao as communist leader
  > Communist China/Sino-Soviet alliance (Feb 1950) + Soviet atomic bomb(autumn 1949) - thought communism powerful
  > May have wanted US and China to engage in order to weaken them both
  > feared resurgent Japan - only 100 miles from Korea
  > 28 Jan 1950 - received intelligence - US unlikely to defend South Korea if it were attacked
  > Wanted to preempt SK attack on NK
  > Wouldn’t cost Stalin much - warned Kim he shouldn’t expect ‘great assistance’
• Stalin gave Kim tanks, air support + military advisors but no troops

Question 4

Initial Chinese support for Kim

Answer 4

• US convinced of Sino-Soviet alliance behind NK invasion
• Mao feared resurgent Japan
• Concerned about US influence in Korea - borders China’s industrial Manchuria
• Spring 1949 - Mao promises Kim eventual support - enthusiastic when meeting Kim in May 1950 - offered troops but Kim refused