Big Question 2 - Who was to blame for the Korean War? Flashcards
Who was the leader of the DPRK?
Kim Il Sung
In which month was the DPRK formed?
September, 1948
How many communist sympathisers did the DPRK claim lived in the ROK?
200,000
Who was the leader of the ROK?
Syngman Rhee
In which month was the ROK formed?
August, 1948
Why did Syngman Rhee request weapons from the USA before the Korean War?
He wished to invade the DPRK so as to create a unified, anti-communist Korea
In which month did the DPRK invade the ROK?
June, 1950
What area were ROK forces forced to retreat to during the DPRK’s initial invasion?
Pusan
By what month were ROK forces forced back to Pusan?
September, 1950
Why were the USA hostile to the USSR after WW2 other than just their opposing political ideologies?
The USSR had taken control of many Eastern European countries by force which contradicted America’s anti-expansionist ideology
Who was the leader of nationalist forces in China?
Chiang Kai-Shek
How much funding did the USA provide to Chiang Kai-Shek?
$2 Billion
Between what dates did the USA fund the nationalist movement in China?
1946 - 1949
On what date did communist forces successfully win the Chinese civil war?
October, 1949
Where did Chiang Kai-Shek flee to after a nationalist defeat in China?
Taiwan (then Formosa)
To what countries had communism spread other than Korea?
Malaya, Indonesia, Burma, and the Philippines
In which year did Truman theorise the Truman Doctrine?
1947
What was the Truman Doctrine?
The USA’s policy on the international containment of communism
What did Truman send to Korea immediately after the invasion of the ROK by the DPRK?
Warships and Military advisors
Why could the USSR not veto the USA’s proposal at the UN to become militarily involved in the Korean conflict?
They were boycotting the UN due to their refusal to recognise the new communist government of China
Why did the USA have a heavy influence over the UN?
They were the main financial contributor to the organisation
Why was Stalin initially reluctant to aid Kim Il Sung in the invasion of the ROK?
He did not want to agitate the USA
What did Stalin instead do to aid the DPRK without becoming directly involved?
He pressured Mao Zedong (the leader of Communist China) to aid the DPRK
Why did pressuring Mao Zedong also aid Stalin?
It asserted the USSR’s dominance in the communist sphere of countries
How many pieces of artillery did Stalin agree to provide the DPRK?
1600
How many aircraft did Stalin agree to provide the DPRK?
178
How many T-34 tanks did Stalin agree to provide the DPRK?
258
On what date did Stalin eventually agree to provide the DPRK with military equipment and aid?
February, 1950
What did Stalin refuse to provide the DPRK, and why?
Troops, as he did not wish to engage in direct conflict with the USA
What did the USSR stand to gain from a communist Korea?
Safer borders, reduced American influence in SE Asia, and new trade oppourtunities
Why did Mao not initially become involved in Korea despite pressure from Stalin?
His main priority was to retake Taiwan (then Formosa) and not to agitate the USA
From what time did Mao allow ‘military volunteers’ to aid the DPRK?
Mid 1950
When did China eventually intervene in the Korean War?
November, 1950
