Cold War in Asia; The Korean War Flashcards
Who were the leaders of North and South Korea and what were their political beliefs?
In the North, a communist regime was set up under Kim II Sung. The new state was called the people’s democratic republic but was more commonly known as North Korea. In the South a capitalist dictatorship was set up by Syngman Rhee. Officially this state was christened the Republic of Korea
Why did North Korea invade South Korea?
The USA believed Stalin had encouraged the invasion. Both states sought the reunification of the country. In June 1950 north korea acted out it’s aim by invading the south. Within days the capital Seoul had been captured and within only three months south korea had been pushed into a small corner in the south
Why was the USA concerned about what happened in South Korea? Whom did they blame?
The USA believed Stalin had encouraged the invasion. They also feared that a domino effect would soon begin by which one country after another would fall to communism. For these reasons the USA asked the United Nations to intervene to stop the attack.
What was Korea divided along in 1948?
Korea was divided along cold war lines in 1948 along the 38th parallel.
What happened in Korea between 1948 to 50?
Russian and America troops left but the leaders of both north and south wanted to ensure all of Korea was under their regime. Between 1948 to 1950 thousands died in the dashes between north and south Korea.
Name the border between north and south korea and describe how it was created in 1945?
In 1945 Korea was liberated from Japanese control by soviet soldiers who moved into the north of the country and US troops who landed the south. The country was partitioned along the 38th parallel at latitude until elections could be held and the country reunited.
What differing views did the USA and USSR have in relation to Korea?
- The USA sought the establishment of a regime that would ensure the introduction of a capitalist democracy.
- The USSR was keen to see the election of a government sympathetic to communism.
What happened on the following dates which signaled the end of the Korean war?
June 1951 - Peace talks begun but were unable to find a solution acceptable to both sides
1953 - a change in leadership in the USA saw Eisenhower succeed Truman. This offered the oppurtunities for an end to the war. The new leaders sought peace and a ceasefire was agreed at Panmunjam in July 1953
How did the USA get the support of the UN for fighting in Korea?
The UN agreed with the US interpretation; First it condemned the act then it began to put together a military force to stop the invasion.
Who was general Douglas MacArthur and what was his aim for the korean war?
The UN force which was mainly US force and led by general Douglas MacArthur. His intention (with Truman’s agreement) was to reunite the whole country.
When and why did Truman sack MacArthur?
In April 1951 Truman sacked MacArthur after the general had openly criticized the president’s policies.
By 1953 why did the USA. USSR and China decide to end the war?
In 1953 a change in the leadership of the USA, Dwight D. Eisenhower succeeding Truman and the USSR Stalin died and was replaced with Nikita Krushchev. The new leaders sought peace and a ceasefire was agreed at Panmunjam in July 1953. Possibly Eisenhower’s threat to use nucleur power on China assisted the conclusion of negotiations.
Positive and negative results of the war
positive results
- Containment had worked: Communism had not spread onto South Korea
- Realising the importance of preventing Japan from falling to communism, the USA signed a peace treaty, ending military occupation and invested heavily in the Japanese economy.
- The US signed agreements with the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand which outlined it’s position as the protector of the region.
Negative Results
- Over 2 million people died which resulted in a border with little difference from where it was before the war began.
- The relationship between north and south Korea remained bitter
- US - china relations deteriorated further, particularly as the USA continued to recognise Chiang Kai-Shek’s regime as China’s rightful government.
- NATO was changed from a mainly political association into a full blown military account.
Was the Korean war a success for the USA?
Put simply, the Korean war indicated that the USA was now committed to pursuing a policy of containment anywhere in the world if it’s situation was felt to be more threat, even if this meant committing troops to combat situations
