Cold War Asia - Korea

Question 1

Who controlled Korea during World War Two?

Answer 1

Japan (up until their surrender)

Question 2

What was the 38th Parallel?

Answer 2

In 1945, Korea was to be occupied by the USSR and USA military forces and divided the country along the 38th Parallel.

Question 3

Which part did the USSR and USA occupy post 1945?

Answer 3

Soviet occupied North Korea and USA occupied South.

Question 4

Who were the UN?

Answer 4

The United Nations. An international organisation formed by the West and so the USSR refused to engage in UN discussions.

Question 5

Elections took place in which part of Korea in 1948?

Answer 5

South Korea, a Republic of Korea was formally established in 1948.

Question 6

Who was the leader of South Korea?

Answer 6

Syngman Rhee, a staunch anti communist, expatriate who had lived in the USA for forty years before returning to South Korea.

Question 7

Who were the People’s Committees?

Answer 7

A left wing group who had grown in power after the Second World War, seizing control in the North as a communist group.

Question 8

Who was the leader of North Korea?

Answer 8

Kim II Sung, a hero of the resistance to the Japanese rule, he had received military training in the USSR.

Question 9

In what year did the USA and USSR withdraw from Korea?

Answer 9

1949

Question 10

How did the USA view Korea in 1950?

Answer 10

The USA saw Korea as outside of its defence perimeter and no concern for the US. When asked for help by Rhee, the USA declined.

Question 11

In 1949 where did fighting take place in Korea?

Answer 11

Along the 38th Parallel, 400 soldiers were killed in May 1949.

Question 12

Why did the US fear the North’s invasion of the South in 1950?

Answer 12

The US saw the invasion as a direct order from Moscow and an example of further communist expansion.

Question 13

How many days passed before US intervention after the North invaded the South?

Answer 13

Two days

Question 14

What happened when the UN called on North Korea to withdraw from the South?

Answer 14

The USSR could veto the UN decision of the Security Council, but this meant the USA dominated the UN and 16 countries sent troops as part of the UN to South Korea.

Question 15

Why was the USSR unhappy with the United Nations?

Answer 15

China was not allowed to be a part of the UN due to communism, therefore the USSR were unhappy with the UN.

Question 16

Which countries sent troops as part of the UN to Korea?

Answer 16

USA, Britain, Canada, Turkey and the Philippines ( in total 16 countries).

Question 17

Who led US troops in Korea?

Answer 17

General Douglas Mac Arthur

Question 18

Which city did the North push troops towards in June 1950?

Answer 18

Seoul (the capital of South Korea).

Question 19

As the North took control of the South which group established power?

Answer 19

The People’s Committees.

Question 20

By September 1950 where had the North Koreans pushed the South Koreans back to?

Answer 20

The city of Pusan

Question 21

When did the South Korean forces enter North Korea and cross the 38th Parallel?

Answer 21

30th September 1950

Question 22

What success did Mac Arthur have in 1950?

Answer 22

US troops crossed the 38th Parallel at the end of September 1950. By October 1950 they captured Pyongyang the capital of the North. The North Korean army fled to the mountains. The US marched onto the Yalu River (the Chinese border).

Question 23

When and why did China enter the war?

Answer 23

On the 27th November 1950, Chinese troops poured into North Korea, after Mac Arthur had talked more about rolling back Communism. 200,000 Chinese troops joined 150,000 North Korean troops and pushed the UN troops back into a retreat.

Question 24

How did Mac Arthur recommend dealing with the Chinese and North Korean attack.

Answer 24

Atomic Bombs and Nuclear Weapons

Question 25

When was Pyongyang recaptured by the North?

Answer 25

December 1950

Question 26

Describe the events of the stalemate in 1951.

Answer 26

Communist forces pushed South to Seoul, 400,000 Chinese troops were in Korea.

The UN forces had superior power of bombing raids causing damage to the North and their supply routes.

The communists used guerilla tactics to fight amongst the countryside.

Both sides knew neither could win the war.

Question 27

Who took over from Mac Arthur after he was sacked by Truman?

Answer 27

General Ridgway

Question 28

Peace talks began in what year?

Answer 28

Summer 1951, although unsuccessful and fighting continued.

Question 29

Who was the new President to end the war in Korea?

Answer 29

Eisenhower

Question 30

Who died in 1953?

Answer 30

Stalin

Question 31

How many UN casualties had there been by 1953 in the Korean War?

Answer 31

23,000

Question 32

When was the ceasefire signed for Korea?

Answer 32

27th July 1953, but not signed by South Korea but little option but to accept it.

Question 33

How many people died in the Korean War in total?

Answer 33

Over 4 million

Question 34

What were the consequences of war for Korea?

Answer 34

5 million homeless people, Rhee maintained power of the South until 1960, North Korea became isolated communist state under Kim II Sung until his death in 1994.

Question 35

What were the consequences of war for China?

Answer 35

China appeared militarily strong and a third world superpower. China became leader of the communists movements in Asia. 600,000 deaths.

Question 36

What were the consequences of war for UN?

Answer 36

UN appeared strong and able to exert authority over aggression. But also weak as it showed US strength in the UN.

Question 37

What were the consequences of war for USA?

Answer 37

USA re-armed after World War Two, ready to meet further communist expansion. 36,000 deaths