Chapter 6: UN and Military Involvement Flashcards
How was Truman able to legitimise intervention in Korea?
By turning the process into a UN intervention, removing the possibility of the USA appearing ti be unilaterally implementing containment on a global scale.
What was the effect of Truman disguising US intervention in Korea under the UN?
Removed responsibility from the USA, but enabled it to ensure an international response was coordinated to achieve the ends it wanted.
What prevented a rapid North Korean victory?
Immediate US intervention under the auspices of the United Nations.
Who was the UN force led by?
General MacArthur.
What was the first phase of the Korean War?
June-Sep 1950
Forces of Democratic People’s Republic of Koea advanced into South. Chinese troops were massed in Manchuria in readiness for a move into Korea. Through the UN, 29 states committed to military, economic or medical aid.
What was the second phase of the Korean War?
Sep-Nov 1950
MacArthur landed, and succeeded in forcing NK forces back across 38th parallel, in Oct Mao sent 300,000 Chinese troops across into North Korea, leading to a major attack against the UN forces.
What was the third phase of the Korean War?
Dec-June 1951
By Jan, Chinese forces had pushed across 38th parallel and captured Seoul, in Feb the UN condemned China as an aggressor, Due to demands that US forces should push into North Korea and engage the Chinese, and use air strikes and nuclear weapons against them MacArthur was dismissed by Truman in April, MacArthur wanted to commit the USA to a struggle for the reunification of Korea. Truman feared an extension of the War and bringing the USSR into it.
What was the fourth phase of the Korean War?
Jun 1951- Jul 1953
Neither side mounted any significant military offensives during this period, the lack of UN action convinced Mao and Stalin there was a genuine desire for a peace settlement, the USA had consolidated its relationship with Japan and felt more secure in its involvement with Far East and a national disinclination to cooperate with each other led to a long delay in reaching a settlement.
