Chap 8 Korea war Flashcards
What happened to north and south korea after ww2 and who are their leaders?
North korea: Kim II sung established the Democratic Poeple’s Republic of Korea on 9 September 1948 with the support of USSR.
-tapped on propaganda
-promote self sufficiency and isolated the country from the world to prevent external influence or opposition.
-uses force to achieve his aim.
-wants korea to be unified under his rule.
South korea: Rhee became president of Republic of Korea in August 1948 after elections.
-grew authoritarian, arresting and even killing political opponents and suspected communists.
-supported by usa due to non communist stance.
-wants korea to be unified.
What are the goals of rhee and kim? And what are USSR and USA reaction to their conflicts?
They both want to be the ruler of korea peninsula.
Kim: Persuaded Stalin many times to support his attempt to reunify korea.
-Stalin was not interested as he was trying to create buffer zone of communist state in Eastern Europe to protect USSR.
-Stalin did not want to cause more conflict with USA and strain more resources.
Rhee: eager to reunify korea.
-Truman refused to provide south korea with large supplies of weapons for fear they would start a war.
Conflict: SK warships attached NK military installations near Taedong river, sinking NK west coast fleet.
-1949 onwards, more fighting broke out causing hundreds of assaults and heavy casualties.
Reactions:
Usa: Us secretary of state suggested that sk is not important. On jan 1950, Dean Acheson made a speech regarding what were a impt defence perimeter for the usa. He mentioned Philippines but left out sk.
USSR: reluctant to support kim in conquering south korea as he did not want to risk direct military confrontation with USA.
How did the United states react to the new developments in china in late 1949 and early 1950?
In 1949: Chinese communist party was victorious and china became communist.
USA concerns:
1) china becoming a base to spread communism in Asia.
In early 1950s:
2) USSR gaining a powerful ally.
-In February 1950, they signed Sino-soviet Treaty of friendship, Alliance and Mutual assistance which agrees on land and transport in East Asia and cumulative loan of 300 million from ussr to china to rebuld.
3) Usa lost monopolu over atomic bomb to ussr.
What is the significance of NSC-68?
National Security Council Paper No.68 is a top secret Us report which sets outs a more assertive and aggressive US foreign policy to deal with the communist threat.
-Initially, Us policy would let NK and Sk simply fight if a war broke out.
-NSC-68 let usa intervene if a war broke out as they could not let NK win and let communism spread.
What caused Stalin and Mao to change their views towards korea?
Before 1950s: Stalin not interested.
After: Willing to help NK.
1) Developments of cold war
-control over NK would provide a base to spread communist ideology and counter balance US influence in Japan.
2) China being ally.
-China shares border with NK and can supply the troops and support during war, making it difficult for USA.
3) Mao wants to bring China to a world stage.
4) Kim determination and skill.
-Kim had a large army of well-trained and experienced troops.
-Stalin would not have changed his mind if not for Kim’ s persistent and determined advocacy to invade SK.
How did Truman respond to North korea invasion of South korea in June 1950? And what did the United Nation do?
On 25 June 1950, North korea invaded south korea.
-Truman immediately sent advisors, supplies and warships to waters around korea.
-He also placed enormous pressure on the UN to condemn NK actions and ask for withdrawal.
-With the absence of USSR to use veto and USA being the largest financial contributor and troops supplier, it was able to influence the UN to use member forces to drive NK troops out.
-UN forces includes Turkey, Philippines, India and Thailland who fought with thousands of SK troops. Others send combat troops and medical services.
Why did China intervene the Korea war?
-China warned that it would intervene to defend its border if the Americans crossed the 38th parallel as it did not want a unified korea on his border which is non communist.
-In late October 1950, 200000 Chinese troops joined the NOrth Koreans. They were highly equipped with soviet tanks and aircrafts. .They pushed back the Un forced into South korea.
When was Korean armistice agreement signed?
July 1953, do note that korea war has never ended.
How did korea war impact North and South korea?
1) High no of deaths
-3 to 4 million casualties and 1.4 million deaths
2) Economy fall
- 70% textile industry and 70% chemical industry and 51% mining industry destroyed
-Many roads, factories and infrastructures ruined.
3)Pows
- 90000 SK POWs, 8000 UN POWs and 100000 NK POWs.
- Many died.
-Returning Pows treated with suspicion as they were suspected to be brainwashed by enemy.
4) Border
To settle border issue, DMZ was created. Both sides move troops back 2km from the border.
How did korean war affect development of Cold war
1) First proxy war in cold war.
- United states and ussr did not fight directly but provided arms, money and other support to South korea and North korea troops respectively.
2) Creation of alliances.
-Usa formed non communist alliances such as the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in Southeast Asia and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in Central Asia and Middle East.
-by providing money, advice and arms, the leader of the allied countries need to suppress communism uprise in their home country.
3) Increase in Military power
- Intensified military power to enforce policy of containment by military means.
-By 1951, its armed forced doubled in size.
- Nato countries initially had only 14 army divisions and spent around 5.5 percent of their Gross domestic product on military. After Korean war, they had 15 divisions in west Germany alone and spend more than 12% gdp on defence.
