2. The events of the Korean War (1950-1953)

Question 1

When was the Korean War?

Answer 1

June 1950 – July 1953

Question 2

Describe North Korea’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer 2

1. To successfully take over the territory of South Korea.

2. To unite Korea as a communist country.

Question 3

Describe America’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer 3

1. To halt / “contain” the spread of communism in Korea and elsewhere in Asia.
2. To demonstrate America’s strength against communism.
3. For President Truman and government to win the support of the American people.

Question 4

Describe China’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer 4

1. To establish their international status and military strength.
2. To aid the spread of communism.
3. To make Korea a communist “buffer state”, secure its borders and remove the presence of capitalism.

Question 5

Describe the USSR’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer 5

1. To aid the spread of communism.

2. To avoid provoking war with America (who has more nuclear weapons).

Question 6

When did the North Korean People’s Army invade South Korea?

Answer 6

June 25, 1950

Question 7

How many North Korean soldiers invaded South Korea in June 1950?

Answer 7

75,000 soldiers

Question 8

From June to September 1950, how much territory did the North Korean People’s Army occupy in the South?

Answer 8

They had taken over nearly the entire territory of South Korea, with the exception of an area in the southeast region of the country.

Question 9

How would you describe the success of the North Korea between June 1950 and September 1950?

Answer 9

Highly successful – South Korea did not have the military power to stop the North taking over nearly the entire territory of South Korea.

Question 10

How did America respond to the invasion of South Korea? (Give two responses)

Answer 10

1. They immediately sent advisers, supplies and warships to the waters around Korea.
2. They put pressure on the United Nations Security Council to condemn the actions of North Korea and to ask them to withdraw their troops.

Question 11

What is the United Nations (UN), and when was it set up?

Answer 11

An international organisation that aims to prevent war and promote international co-operation. It was set up after the Second World War in 1945.

Question 12

What did member countries of the United Nations do after North Korea’s invasion of the South?

Answer 12

They voted on whether the UN should get involved in conflict.

Question 13

Why did the USSR not take part in, and veto (block), the UN vote to intervene in Korea?

Answer 13

The USSR was boycotting the UN at the time. This was because America had stopped China’s entry to the United Nations and did not recognise Mao Zedong and the Communists as the rightful leaders of China.

Question 14

What did the UN agree to do in Korea?

Answer 14

They agreed to help South Korea militarily by forcing North Korea out of the South, to restore international peace and to protect the region.

Question 15

Which provided most of the soldiers and funding for the UN’s involvement?

Answer 15

America

Question 16

Who was commander / leader of the UN force sent to Korea?

Answer 16

American General Douglas MacArthur

Question 17

When did the UN troops arrive in Korea?

Answer 17

September 1950

Question 18

Where did UN troops land in September 1950?

Answer 18

They landed in Inchon and Pusan.

Question 19

How many UN troops were sent to Korea in September 1950?

Answer 19

75,000 UN troops

Question 20

How successful was the UN involvement in Korea from September 1950 to October 1950?

Answer 20

Highly successful – the UN forces and South Korean troops drove the North Korean People’s Army back beyond the 38th parallel to the Yalu river on the Chinese border.

Question 21

How did America’s / the UN’s policy in Korea change during the Korean War?

Answer 21

It changed from the policy of “containment” (pushing the North Korean army back over the 38th parallel) to one of “roll back” (attempting to eradicate communist North Korea completely).

Question 22

When did China enter the Korean War?

Answer 22

October 1950

Question 23

Why did China enter the Korean War in October 1950?

Answer 23

Provoked by America to do so, as the UN forces had forced the North Korean army to the Chinese border.

Question 24

How did the Soviet Union support China and North Korea during the war?

Answer 24

They provided military advice and equipment, such as modern tanks and planes.

Question 25

How successful were China’s “People’s Volunteers” (the army) From October 1950 and January 1951?

Answer 25

Very successful – the United Nations troops were pushed back beyond the 38th parallel into South Korea.

Question 26

How would you describe the Korean War between 1951 and 1953?

Answer 26

It was at a stalemate (standstill) on the 38th parallel – neither side forced the other beyond the border.

Question 27

Why was General MacArthur sacked in 1951?

Answer 27

MacArthur wanted to carry on the war and follow a more aggressive policy (including invading China and using nuclear weapons). President Truman disagreed and did not want to risk entering a war with China and the USSR. MacArthur did not follow instructions and openly threatened war with China in March 1951. He was subsequently removed from his position as commander.

Question 28

When did peace talks between the North and South begin?

Answer 28

June 1951

Question 29

Why did peace talks fail between North and South in 1951?

Answer 29

The countries disagreed over an exchange of prisoners, and fighting continued.

Question 30

Who was elected President of the USA in 1952, and why did this help to end the war?

Answer 30

Dwight D. Eisenhower

He was committed to end the war in Korea.

Question 31

Who died in March 1953, and why did this help to end the war?

Answer 31

Josef Stalin (leader of the USSR)

After this, China and North Korea were not confident that the USSR would continue to support the war.

Question 32

When was the armistice (agreement to end the war) finally signed?

Answer 32

July 1953