Chapter 8: Korean War Flashcards
The ideological differences between the two superpower and the two Koreas led to the Korean War
North Korea was communist and allied to USSR. South Korea was anti-communist and allied to USA. Both killed and imprisoned their ideological opponents in their own territory and wanted to spread their ideology to the other side.
The country was split along the 38th parallel in August 1945 and deepened the differences between the two Koreas. Kim Il-Sung convinced communist allies in USSR and China to support him in destroying South Korea. USA organised an UN International Force to protect South Korea and drive back the North Korea. Without the interference of US and Soviets, Korea would have been united and there would not have been such a long war.
The two leaders wanted to unite Korea led to the Korean War.
Kim Il-Sung wanted to unite Korea under his rule and free Korea from US occupation. Rhee wanted to unite Korea under his rule instead and thus force back fiercely.
Both sides wanted to unite Korea under their own terms. North Korea managed to get support from USSR for military weapons and China for soldiers and became more confident. Thus, they launched a surprise attack in South Korea which led to the Korean War
The Korean War started because USSR and China feared Korea from being a US base.
US and China did not like the containment policy as it threatens them. The US was building military bases to surround the Communist countries and prevent the growth of Communism.
Communist countries were unhappy as it threatens their security. Communist were keen to make Korea a communist ally then a US base. This increased the likelihood for USSR and China to support North Korea, which boosts Kim Il-Sung’s confidence to attack South Korea which led to the Korean War.
Dean Acheson’s Defence Perimeter Speech led to the Korean War.
In Dean Acheson’s speech, it did not mention Korea Peninsula as part of the all-important “defence perimeter” of USA. US began to withdraw their military forces from South Korea, leaving behind a small group of US soldiers and equipment.
The speech meant that USA supporting the new Rhee government in Korea is limited, lowering the risk and cost of a communist attack on South Korea, making USSR and North Korea more confident in winning a fast war with South Korea
USA losing the atom bomb monopoly led to the Korean War.
USSR feared supporting North Korea in waging war with South Korea due to the US atom bomb. US was able to cause great damage using the atom bomb on communist countries and the Soviets could not respond with an equally terrible weapon. However, in 1949, USSR successfully created an atom bomb and is ready to make more to retaliate with US atom bomb, ensuring that the US would not use the atom bomb as USSR would use it against US too.
This leads to a higher chance of success as North Korean army was larger and better equipped compared to the South Korean army. They were able to quickly defeat South Korea before US could react and save South Korea, boosting Kim Il-Sung’s confidence in winning a fast war
