China, Korea, Vietnam Wars Flashcards
When was the communist revolution in China?
In 1949, after a brutal civil war, Mao Tse-teng declared the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. The Nationalists, who had previously ruled the country, retreated to the island of Taiwan.
What was the Treaty of Friendship?
An agreement between the USSR and China, which said that:
- $300 million in aid would be sent to China, 95% of this would need to be repaid and most of it had to be spent on Soviet goods
- 8000 Chinese students would travel to the USSR to study science and technology
- 20,000 Soviet experts would be sent to help the development of China. Much of their advice seemed to benefit the USSR
- China gave two of its major ports to the USSR and gave them the right to mine in their Xinjiang territory
How did the West see China’s turn to communism?
- as a failure for the Truman Doctrine and policy of containment
- a victory for Stalin who now had influence over the most highly populated country in the world
- a threat to the rest of Asia, particularly Taiwan and Japan
How was Korea divided after WW2?
The division of Korea (along the 38th parallel) had been agreed at the Potsdam conference. North Korea was led by communist Kim Il Sung, while South Korea was led by anti-communist Syngman Rhee. Both leaders wanted to unite the countries under their ideology.
Which side invaded first in Korea?
In 1949, Kim asked Stalin to help him invade the South (weapons and equipment were provided, but not troops). The USA had 7500 troops stationed in the South. In June 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea.
How did the UN (United Nations) respond to the North’s invasion of the South (Korea)?
- the USA asked the UN to called for a ceasefire
- with the USSR boycotting the UN and therefore unable to oppose the motion, the UN voted for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops
- the North’s troops remained so the UN sent troops to support Rhee’s government
What happened in the Korean War?
- in September 1950, US forces, led by MacArthur, landed at Inchon and drove the North Koreans back to the 38th Parallel
- in October, Chinese troops helped push the Americans back, they took control of Seoul
- in April 1951, MacArthur was dismissed after calling for the use of a nuclear weapon
- by June, the war had reached a stalemate and in July, a ceasefire was agreed, with the North and South divided in almost exactly the same place as when the war had started
What were the consequences of the Korean War?
- it showed that the USA was willing to go to war to contain communism
- it showed the power the USA had within the UN
- it became the first proxy war of the Cold War, an indirect fight between the Soviets and the Americans
- the dismissal of MacArthur showed that the USA did not want direct conflict with the USSR or to use nuclear weapons
- the USSR was equally keen to avoid direct conflict with the USA
Why was Vietnam split into two?
Indochina (which included Vietnam) had been a French colony, but after WW2, many people living in Indochina didn’t want to be ruled by France. The Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, declared independence from France in 1945 (Democratic Republic of Vietnam created). The new US President, Eisenhower, was worried about Vietnam falling to communism. In July 1954, Vietnam was temporarily split into two until elections could be held.
Why did America get involved in Vietnam?
- domino theory (if South Vietnam fell to communism, the ideology would spread)
- Eisenhower sent money, equipment and military experts to South Vietnam to ensure its security
- the USA supported anti-communist leader if South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem, despite his corruption and brutality
What caused an increase in US involvement (Vietnam)?
The Vietcong was established in 1960 to overthrow Diem. JFK sent over 16000 advisors to South Vietnam. JFK was assassinated and his successor, Lyndon B Johnson, ordered full US military involvement in Vietnam. The Vietnam War would go on to last over a decade and cost thousands of lives.
