2.2 the Korean War

Question 1

Why did the US get involved in the Korean War?

Answer 1

• South Korea was an important buffer zone to protect Japan (geological closeness)
• US perceived South Korean invasion as direct attack on Japan’s stability.
• Congress and public supported intervention
• Domino Theory
• Truman blamed for ‘losing China’

Question 2

How did the UN get involved in the Korean War?

Answer 2

• Authorised use of force to defend the South Korea
• USSR boycotting UN over PRC - couldn’t veto
• All US forces fight under UN flag - less responsibility on US, less provocative

Question 3

When was the Korean War?

Answer 3

Started 1950, armistice signed July 1953

Question 4

When did peace talks start?

Answer 4

July 1951

Question 5

What caused the outbreak of the Korean War?

Answer 5

• Sudden collapse of Japanese power left a power vacuum
• Kim Il Sung (North Korea leader) was a Nationalist and wanted a unified Korea
• closely aligned with Stalin
• Stalin accepted the invasion across the 38th Parallel reluctantly, after developing nuclear weapons

Question 6

What were North and South Korea like?

Answer 6

• Divided along 38th parallel
• North - Communist, even more tightly controlled than Soviet states
• South - Corrupt, divided, Capitalist

Question 7

Who was leader of South Korea?

Answer 7

• Syngman Rhee
• Had strong links with Jiang Jieshi

Question 8

How many people died during the Korean war?

Answer 8

• 5 million
• 40,000 Americans - shocking to the public

Question 9

What was the impact of the Korean War on Japan?

Answer 9

• Benefited most from the War
• key base of US operations
• main recipient of US defense spending ($3 billion by 1954)
• massive stimulus to post war economic recovery
• good for US - created friendly, rich Capitalist state in Asia, usefulness proven

Question 10

Describe General Douglas MacArthur’s role during the Korean War

Answer 10

• Commander of UN forces
• Pushed North Korean forces too far back from the 38th Parallel
• led to China’s involvement in the war leading to humiliating (first ever) US retreat
• Wanted total victory - control of all of Korea
• recalled by Truman April 1951

Question 11

What is the US Military-Industrial Complex?

Answer 11

• defense contractors persuade congress to increase military spending
• huge benefits from war
• Defense industry huge part of US economy