Asia 1.1 The Causes of the Korean War

Question 1

What started the Cold War after WW2? (AS 1.1)

Answer 1

• Stalin wanted to keep Germany weak.
• Soviet territory had expanded 500km west, controlling 20m more people.
• Germany was divided in two.

Question 2

What was the Truman Doctrine? (AS 1.1)

Answer 2

• March 1947, Truman says the USA will send money and military help to countries, to contain communism.
• This containment policy becomes known as the Truman doctrine.

Question 3

Why do tensions rise at the end of the 1940s? What are NATO and the Warsaw Pact? (AS 1.1)

Answer 3

• 1949, USSR develops nuclear weapons.
• NATO is a military alliance of countries standing against the USSR.
• Warsaw Pact are a military alliance of countries including the USSR.

Question 4

How did Korea end up splitting? (AS 1.1)

Answer 4

• Japan took over in WW2.
• At the end of the war, Japan surrendered to US and USSR troops.
• USSR took over the north, while USA took over the south.

Question 5

Who ruled each side of Korea? What divided the sides? (AS 1.1)

Answer 5

• North: Kim Il Sung, a communist allowed in by the
  soviets.
• South: Syngman Rhee, a capitalist strongly tied to the USA.
• Divided by the 38th Parallel.

Question 6

What did America fear in communism? (AS 1.1)

Answer 6

• Chinas emergence as communist.
• US spy reports that Stalin wanted to expand more.
• US politicians warning communism would soon take over Asia.

Question 7

What happened between USA and USSR at the UN security council? (AS 1.1)

Answer 7

• USSR stormed out of a meeting because the US refused to endorse communist China.
• USA and USSR veto each other’s suggestions in meetings.

Question 8

How did the USSR handle North Korea wanting to invade? When did they? (AS 1.1)

Answer 8

• Provided them with weapons, vehicles and training.
• Stalin refused to be directly involved.
• 25th June 1950, they invade the South.

Question 9

What was the UN response to invasion? How much firepower did the US contribute? What was the soviet response? (AS 1.1)

Answer 9

• To put together an invasion force, consisting of 16 states led by US General MacArthur
• US contributed 50% of troops, 86% of naval forces, 93% of air force.
• The soviets criticised them, but refused to take action.