Cold War 2 Flashcards
What was the communist revolution in China 1949
Mao Tse-tung declared establishment of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949 after a brutal civil war.
The nationalists who previously ruled retreated to Taiwan.
The most populous country in the world was communist
What was USSR response to Chinese revolution
Stalin immediately recognised Mao and the communists as rightful government of China
Signed a Treaty of Friendship
- $300 million in aid sent to China to be spent on Russian goods and 95% repaid highest interest
- 8000 chines students could travel to USSR to study science and technology
- 20,000 soviet experts sent to help development of China - seemed to help USSR more
- China gave two parts to Russia
- Russia allowed to mine in Xinjiang territory
How did Stalin view himself
As leader of world communism
What was the difference between communism in China and Russia
In Russia led by factory workers in cities
In China led by peasant farmers
How did the relationship between Russia and China work out
Well to start with but deteriorated especially after Stalin’s death
What was West’s response to Chinese revolution
Communist takeover seen as a disaster
West refused to accept Government and argued government in Taiwan were rightful rulers
Mao’s victory seen as:
- Failure of Truman doctrine and policy of containment
- victory for Stalin
- Threat to rest of Asia esp Taiwan and Japan
What was USA response to Mao’s victory
Dramatic increase in funding to Japan
and other asian countries
Sept 1949 National Security Council Resolution 68 (NSC-68) allowed for major build up of US military
When was the Korean war
1950-53
What was the background to the Korean war
Division of Korea along 38th parallel agreed at Potsdam
Communist north led by Russian trained politician Kim II Sung
South Korea led by American backed committed anticommunist Syugman Rhee
Both hoped to unite Korea under their leadership. Rhee called for US support to overthrow Kim. Kim sent raiding parties over the border to undermine government
7500 USA troops were stationed in S Korea
How did the Korean war come about
In 1949 Kim asked Stalin to help him invade south. Stalin agreed to provide weapons and equipment but not troops.
In June 1050 North Korea invaded the south.
In response USA asked UN to call for ceasefire
As USSR was boycotting UN and unable to oppose the motion the UN voted for immediate ceasefire
North troops remained so UN troops sent to support Rhee’s government.
Although mostly US troops were officially UN so US not acting alone
How did the Korean war go
In Sept 1950 USA forces under Gen MacArthur landed an Inchon and drove N Koreans back to 38th parallel
In October chinese troops helped push americans back and took control of Seoul the S Korean capital
April 1951 Gen MacArthur dismissed for calling for use of nuclear weapon
By June 1951 war reached stalemate and in July final ceasefire agreed with north and South divided almostly exactly as they were before the war.
What were the consequences of the Korean war
USA shown to be prepared to go to war to contain communism
Showed power US had in UN
Was the first proxy war of the cold war
Dismissal of MacArthur showed US did not want direct war with USSR or to use nuclear weapons
The USSR was keen to avoid direct conflict with USA
What is a proxy war
Korean war was proxy war as really between USSR and USA but it was indirect and direct fight was N and S Korea
What was indochina
Indochina was a french colony but after WW2 many of the inhabitants did not want french back to rule them
Who were the Viet Minh
Led by Ho Cho Minh
popular rebels in Vietnam (part of Indochina)
1945 declared independence from France and established Democratic Republic of Vietnam
France resisted but withdrew after defeat at battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954
In July 1954 vietnam temporarily split in two until elections could be held French left the north and the Viet Minh left the south
What was the US response to events in Vietnam
Dwight Eisenhower was concerned Vietnam would fall to communism
Devised the Domino theory
To avoid conflict and growing stocks of nuclear weapons Eisenhower created the New Look policy.
Despite brutality and corruption of S Vietnams anti communist leader Ngo Dinh Niem USA supported him
What was the Domino theory
USA thought if S Vietnam fell to communism the ideology would spread across Asia and they would all be communist. Countries would fall like dominoes.
What was the New Look policy
Eisenhower’s policy he sent money, equipment and military and political experts to S Vietnam to help the country become secure
What was the Vietcong
Established in December 1960
It was the National Front for the liberation of South vietnam
It’s aim was to overthrow Diem
What was the Ho Chi Minh trail
A route from north to south vietnam to get weapons and equipment tot he rebels from North Vietnam
What was JF Kennedy’s response to events in Vietnam
He sent 16000 advisors and experts to S Vietnam
Secretly backed the assassination of Diem by his opponents on 2 November 1963 as hoped a new leader would improve things
Kennedy was assassinated a month later
Who became president after Kennedy
Lyndon B Johnson
He ordered full military involvement in Vietnam
What was the Vietnam war
Lasted over a decade and cost thousands of lives
Overall what happened with the cold war in the 1950’s
Focus switched from Europe to Asia
