Chapter 6: The Korean War 1950-3 Flashcards
Causes, involvement of powers, settlement, impact
1
Q
What was the Korean situation up to the end of WW2?
A
- 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
2
Q
What was decided for Korea after WW2?
A
- 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
3
Q
How did the division of Korea escalate up to the war?
A
- 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
4
Q
How did the USSR cause the Korean war? (x5)
A
- 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
5
Q
How did China cause / get involved in the Korean war? (x3)
A
- 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
6
Q
How did the US cause / escalate the Korean war? (x5)
A
- 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
7
Q
How did North Korea cause the Korean war? (x4)
A
- 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
8
Q
How did the UN get involved in the Korean war?
A
- 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
9
Q
What happened in Stage 1 of the Korean War?
A
- June - September 1950
- Offensive
- North advance all the way to Pusan
- Chinese troops mass in Manchuria
- By UN 29 states send aid
10
Q
Describe phase 2 of the Korean war
A
- 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
11
Q
What was the 3rd phase of the Korean War?
A
- 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
12
Q
What was phase 4 of the Korean war?
A
- 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
13
Q
State the settlement from the end of the Korean war
A
- 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
14
Q
What was the impact of the Korean War in the USA? (x8)
A
- 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
15
Q
How did the Korean War impact China? (x4)
A
- 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
