Chapter 6: The Korean War 1950-3

Question 1

What was the Korean situation up to the end of WW2?

Answer 1

• Annexed by Japan 1910 until end of WW2
• Korean nationalists led a revolution in 1945 but had no say in what happened to the country

Question 2

What was decided for Korea after WW2?

Answer 2

• US + USSR had joint occupation by splitting the country –> meant to be temporary
• Dec 1945 Moscow Conference –> will put in a provisional government to lead to independence

Question 3

How did the division of Korea escalate up to the war?

Answer 3

• Cold war development = hard to cooperate –> propose 2 leaders
• South –> ROK set up with nationalist leader Syngman Rhee
• North –> DPRK set up with communist leader Kim Il Sung

Question 4

How did the USSR cause the Korean war? (x5)

Answer 4

• Initially deny the invasion but in the end are the ones who authorise the war
• Have an atomic bomb - end of US nuclear monopoly
• Korea would turn to China for help undermining Soviet communist dominance
• Wanted to support communist expansion and a united communist Korea would be a good ally
• Supported with weapons and technology

Question 5

How did China cause / get involved in the Korean war? (x3)

Answer 5

• Didn’t want to at the start - Korea = insignificant + USA = scary
• Got involved as the US’s 7th fleet moved to defend Taiwan
• Wanted to prove their regime and communist power

Question 6

How did the US cause / escalate the Korean war? (x5)

Answer 6

• Needed to ensure stability in Asia and protect ally Japan
• Didn’t include South Korea in defensive perimeter –> seen as fair game
• Containment = need to stop them
• Sent troops to Korea and stationed 7th fleet in front of Taiwan –> aggravated others
• Used atomic diplomacy a lot so now they were equal USSR feels they can do anything

Question 7

How did North Korea cause the Korean war? (x4)

Answer 7

• Want to unite country under their leader
• Pressured USSR + China to help them and played them off each other for resources and support
• Kim Il Sung = extreme communist and aggressive –> hell bent on an invasion - asked multiple times before being given a yes
• Formed a large guerrilla military to prepare

Question 8

How did the UN get involved in the Korean war?

Answer 8

• Security council met to decide what to do
• Chinese seat given to Taiwan as USA refused to recognise ‘red China’
• Led to USSR boycotting UN –> not there to veto so they created a military force to send

Question 9

What happened in Stage 1 of the Korean War?

Answer 9

• June - September 1950
• Offensive
• North advance all the way to Pusan
• Chinese troops mass in Manchuria
• By UN 29 states send aid

Question 10

Describe phase 2 of the Korean war

Answer 10

• September - November 1950
• Counter offensive
• MacArthur lands in Inchon
• Northern troops forced back over 38th parallel
• Oct - 300,000 Chinese troops sent over Yalu river –> major counter offensive against UN troops

Question 11

What was the 3rd phase of the Korean War?

Answer 11

• December 1950 - June 1951
• Stabilisation + negotiation
• Jan - Chinese moved south to capture Seoul
• MacArthur dismissed after suggesting to nuke everyone –> Truman scared of war with USSR
• June - US shows willingness to negotiate

Question 12

What was phase 4 of the Korean war?

Answer 12

• June 1951 - July 1953
• Stalemate and peace
• No major offensives —> convinces Mao + Stalin they really want to negotiate
• US consolidate relationship with Japan
• The natural dislike and tensions between countries cause long negotiations - also can’t agree on prisoners of war

Question 13

State the settlement from the end of the Korean war

Answer 13

• Negotiations begin July 1951 —> armistice agreed July 1953
• Stalin’s death March 1953 sped things up
• Demilitarised line for 2km each side (around 38th parallel)
• Military forces withdraw to own sides
• Repatriation of prisoners
• Signed in Panmunjom

Question 14

What was the impact of the Korean War in the USA? (x8)

Answer 14

• Sign a peace treaty with Japan (1951)
• SEATO made (1954]
• NSC-68 = military expenditure increases from 1950
• Commit to protecting Taiwan
• Support French in Vietnam but lose and had payed 70% of the war
• Incorporate West Germany in NATO (1955)
• Anti communist hysteria in early 1950s
• Change president - favour roll back

Question 15

How did the Korean War impact China? (x4)

Answer 15

• Relations with US are very hostile until 1970s
• Gain reputation in communist world and boost military
• Security threatened by US in Asia
• Isolated internationally due to involvement war

Question 16

What consequences did the Korean War have on USSR? (x4)

Answer 16

• Increase industry in Eastern Europe due to cost of military causing some reaction against communist rule
• 1955 Warsaw pact with E Europe as a response to West Germany in NATO
• Spend more on military
• Arms race with US

Question 17

How was the UN impacted by the Korean War?

Answer 17

• Seen as a tool of capitalism by communist world which damaged its reputation as an impartial and independent body
• Did show it could take action against an aggressor unlike LON

Question 18

What impacts did the Korean war have one North and South Korea?

Answer 18

• 415,000 South Koreans killed
• 500,000 North Koreans killed
• 5 million Koreans left homeless due to the damage of the war –> it had been a total war –> infrastructure + industry destroyed