Causes of the Korean War

Question 1

How did US contribute to causing the Korean War?

Answer 1

• Truman Doctrine (1947) stated US would provide financial and military aid to any country under threat of a communist takeover
• The US wanted to build Germany’s economy after WW2, however the USSR wanted Germany weak to prevent another war
• Joseph McCarthy (‘Reds under the bed”) spread fear of communism, trials of Hollywood actors, Chinese Civil War
• US appealed to UN security council

Question 2

How did China and the USSR contribute to causing the Korean War?

Answer 2

• USSR boycotted UN security council, couldn’t veto the decision to help S.K
• USSR developed nuclear weapons in 1949
• Both sides of Cold War used spies and propaganda
• Stalin agreed to let N.K invade the South, didn’t think US would get involved
• Formed Warsaw Pact in response to NATO
• Stalin was gradually taking over E. Europe by rigging elections and murdering opponents
• Supplied N.K weapons and tanks
• N.K soldiers fought in Chinese Civil War, more experienced

Question 3

How did Korea contribute to causing the Korean War?

Answer 3

• North Korea had a bigger and more experienced military (Chinese Civil War) and weapons supplied from China/USSR
• Kim Il-Sung realised that guerrilla warfare alone wasn’t going to be enough to destabilise S.K’s government
• North and South were ideologically divided and they both believed they should control all of Korea