Conflict and Tension in Asia 1950-1975 Flashcards
Why did the USSR and the USA become rivals after WWII?
The USSR were operated under Communism and believed that all other countries should be run this way, however, the USA was a capitalist country with a democratically elected government, they believed all other countries should be run this way
What did communists believe?
Ordinary people should seize power from rich factory owners and businessmen.
Strong government on behalf of people
All factories shops and land should be owned by government
What do capitalists believe?
People should be free to own their own properties and businesses
Workers get jobs in factories and in shops and online
People can vote for parties they like
Why did the USSR believe they were under attack by capitalist countries?
USA, Britain and France sent troops to support those fighting against the new communist government in 1917
Russians not invited to peace talks at the end of WW1
What was the Marshall plan?
The plan that America was willing to pay huge amounts of money to help countries in Europe, including Germany recover to return to trading freely
What did Stalin want to do to Germany after WW1?
Leave Germany weak
Who became communist soon after the war and what did Winston Churchill say?
Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland
Winston Churchill declared that Europe had been divided by an ‘iron curtain’
What was the Truman Doctrine
USA would come to an aid with money and military help of any country under threat of communist takeover. In dining this the USA would contain communism and stop it spreading. This policy of containment became known as the Truman Doctrine and was the basis of US foreign policy for years. Speech from US President Harry Truman in March 1947
When did the USSR conduct its first successful test of a nuclear bomb?
1949
What was the NATO and who was involved?
In 1949, USA, Britain, France, Belgium, Canada and other European countries joined forces to form a military alliance called NATO
What was the Warsaw Pact?
The communist response to the NATO was to form the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance contains USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, east Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania
What was the Cold War?
A war of threats, bluffs and propaganda. It was the time when each side feared each other and a constant threat of nuclear war hung over he world
What was Korea like at the end of WW2?
Japanese soldiers in the northern part of Korea surrendered to Soviet troops, while those in south surrender to US troops, the country was divided into two separate zones, this was meant to be temporary and the aim was for Korea to become a united independent and elections to be organised by United Nations
Who came to power in the north and when and how?
In 1948, Kim il-sung came to power. No elections held
Who came to power in the south and how?
Syngman Rhee through elections
What was the name of the north part of Korea?
People’s Republic of Korea with Pyongyang as its capital
What did the south of Korea become know as?
Republic of Korea with the capital of Seoul
What did Kim il-sung and syngman Rhee have in common and what were their differences?
Both committed nationalists
North communist
South capitalist
Both believed in unification of Korea
Cold War now spread to Far East
When did the Japanese invade China?
1931 and took over large parts of the country
Who led the Chinese government?
Chiangmai Kai-shek
Who was the leader of the Chinese communists?
Mao tse -tung
When did China become communist?
1949
What did the USA veto after China became communists?
USSR wanted to allied china to join UN but USA vetoed the decision
What did Kim il-sung believe in 1949?
The South Koreans would welcome an invasion in order to unite the country
What did Stalin think about the invasion of the south in 1949?
He didn’t think it was right and pointed out that US soldiers were based there and it might pull the US, however, by 1959 he had changed his mind and decided that they wouldn’t invade
Why did Stalin give to Kim il-sung in April 1950?
Permission to invade South Korea aswell as tanks artillery and aircraft
When did North Korea invade South Korea?
Sunday 25 June 1950
What did President Truman declare two days after North Korea invaded the south?
USA would go to aid of South Korea and that UN Security Council must meet urgently
How did the UN respond to the invasion in June 1950?
Korean War
USA suggested they must get an army together and go to aid South Korea
Security council decided North Korea was acting violently so ordered them to leave South Korea which they ignored so UN army took military action
How did the US respond to the invasion on 25 June 1950?
Korean War
Truman ordered US 7th fleet group of around 60 battleships, 300 aircraft and 40,000 soldiers to patrol around North Korea and South Korea
Ordered MacArthur to send troops and supplies
What was the invasion force made up of to support South Korea?
16 UN member states sent troops to fight but USA provided 50% of armed forces and 93% of Air Force
Who was Harry Truman?
Korean War
Served as president until 1953
Adopted policy of containment
Truman Doctrine in 1947
Supported the Marshall Plan
Who was Douglas MacArthur?
Korean War
Appointed as chief of UN forces in Korea in 1950, aged 70
What were MacArthurs plans?
Korean War
First job to stop the complete collapse of the South Korean army sending UN troops to help defend this area.
On 15 September 1950, UN troops launched surprise attack from the sea at the port of Inchon
Were the UN led forces successful at Inchon on 15th September 1950?
Korean War
Quickly captured by US led UN forces
By early October all North Korean troops driven out of South Korea back past 38th parallel
What happened on 25 October 1950, when the UN forces advanced too far north at the Chinese border?
Korean War
200,000 Chinese troops joined the North Koreans to fight back
The Chinese and North Korea pushed South Koreans back into South Korea
What happened when MacArthur ignore Truman and continued attacking North Korea?
Truman was furious with his blatant refusal to follow order and sacked
How were US air power shown when the Korean War stood at a stalemate in 1951?
Us began bombing cities and transport systems with Kaplan and bombs using B-29 superfortresses
Over 1 million killed
How did Stalin help the Chinese and North Korea fight back after the US air raids at the end of 1951?
Stalin said he would provide fighter planes such as MiG-15 which were painted in Chinese colours of NK colours
How long did the two sides fight in the air for and how many planes did they lose, in the stalemate?
Korean War
2 years
UN LOST 3500 planes
NK, soviets and Chinese lost 3000
When did the peace talks start?
Korean War
July 1951 but they couldn’t agree and fighting continued
When was Truman replaced by Eisenhower?
Korean War
November 1952
When did STALIN DIE?
Korean War
March 1953
When was the peace treaty of the Korean War signed?
27 July 1953
What was the demilitarised zone?
Korean War
A zone agreed after the peace treaty, that prevented future wars
How many US serviceman died?
Korean War
40,000
How many US servicemen wounded?
Korean War
100,000
How many British were killed and wounded?
Korean War
Wounded 2,674
Killed 1,078
How many SK were killed?
Korean War
200,000
400,000 wounded
How many chinese soldiers were lost ?
Korean War
600,000
How many NK died?
Korean War
400,000
What impact did the Korean War have on the Cold War?
First time superpowers had become directly involved in military conflict
Marked spreading of Cold War from Europe into Asia
In 1951, USA signed the ANZUS pact with Australia and New Zealand promising to support them in military invasion
How much did the US government spend on nuclear weapons in 1951 and 1952
Korean War
1951 $48billion
1952. $60 billion
How many nuclear bombs did the USA have after Korean War compared to before?
100 in 1948
750 by 1951
How much did he US army increase after Korean War?
50%
What was North Korea stopped from doing?
Taking over South Korea
Success for Americans
What did the UN original ally want to do to North and South Korea?
Unite
What did the Korean War result in between the USA and USSR?
More determined to contain communism
Armed forces stronger
Nuclear weapons increase
Why were the French in Asia?
French taken large parts of Southeast Asia to extend their empire
Known as French Indochina
Who was the French Indochina made up of?
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Why was Vietnam valuable for French?
Lots of raw materials
French imported good to sell in Indochina
What did the Japanese do when they invaded Indochina?
Stripped Vietnam of its raw resources
Food became scarce and 2 million Vietnamese people starved to death
How did the Vietminh form?
Strong Vietnamese resistance movement that was determined to get rid of Vietnamese rule. Led by Ho Chi Minh and Nyguyen Vo giap
What did the Vietminh do in 2 September 1945?
Declared Vietnam independent country, French didn’t accept and fought war until 1954
Why did Americans get involved?
American viewed Vietminh as puppets of china , so wanted to contain communism so vowed to support French
How much aid had Truman sent by July 1950?
$15 million aid
US planes tanks and other supplies
Within 4 years, American spent $3billion helping French fight Vietminh and providing 80% of equipment
Describe the events of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Spring 1954
small French Air Force at Dien Bien Phu occupied by 10,000 soldiers was surrounded by 50,000 Vietminh troops
Vietminh destroyed runway
Bombarded them with rockets and shells
Americans not British would help so on May 7 1954 French surrender
During 57days 3000 French troops dead, 8000 wounded
Vietminh 8000 dead 12000 wounded
What were the consequence of Dien Bien Phu?
France prime minister resigned
Parliament voted 471:14 to support removal of French from Indochina
What was the 1954 Geneva agreement?
Vietnam divided at 17th parallel
NV run by Ho Chi Minh
SV run by NGO Dinh Diem
French troops withdraw fully from Vietnam
Vietminh withdraw for SV
General election would be held before July 1956
Laos Cambodia become independent countries
What were the consequences of Geneva agreement?
Reluctant to accept division
Wanted united Vietnam
USA become involved in Vietnam
How did Diem keep control in SV?
Acted independently and refused to accept guidance form America
Imprisoned people who opposed him
Held election in SV in oct 1955
Who won the October 1955 elections in Vietnam?
Diem who claimed he won vote by 98.2% of vote
Give two examples that opposed Diem
National liberation front
Buddhists
Who were the National Liberation front?
Political organisation in SV brought together by Ho Chi Minh, wanted to abolish catholic power
Want to Overthrow Diem
Who were the buddhists and how did they oppose Diem?
Diem implemented anti buddhists policies
Self immolation of monk Thich Quang Duc. Burned himself alive
When was Diem assassinated?
1 November 1963
It was a coup
Kennedy removed his protection
What were the Vietcong several key aims?
Replacement of Diem
Unification of Vietnam
Promotion of peasants rights
How did the Vietcong fight?
Guerrilla tactics
No uniforms
Psychological effects
What was the strategic hamlet programme?
Introduced by Diem in 1963 to ‘in the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people’
Peasants moved to area surrounded by ditches and barbed wire
Over 2/3 forced to move
Describe Eisenhower’s involvement in Vietnam
Invited SV to join SEATO that worked together to stop spread of communism
Launched propaganda campaign in Vietnam against Ho Chi Minh
In 1954, sent CIA intelligence to Saigon to gather info for US government
Supplied Diem with money supplies and military equipment
Describe Kennedy’s involvement in Vietnam
Approved coup of Diem 300 Us helicopter pilots to SV increased aid to SV Kept US involvement secret Supported strategic hamlet programme Increase number of military experts in Vietnam to around 16,000
What was the attack in the Gulf of Tonkin?
3 August 1964 3 torpedo boats headed for USS Maddox
Fired three torpedoes third hit but did not explode
Us jets sank one and damaged two
What happened on 4 August related to Gulf of Tonkin?
Reports came in of another attack but it was a false alarm
Johnson launched attack on north Vietnam
What was the Gulf of Tonkin resolution?
7 August 1964 the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was approved by US government. Have president power to take any military action he thought was necessary
What was operation 34A?
Involved sending South Vietnamese mercenaries into NV and US destroyer naval ships into NV waters
When was operation rolling thunder launched?
13 February 1965
What was operation rolling thunder?
Campaign of continuous bombing in NV targeting government buildings
What did the change in tactic through Operation Rolling Thunder mark?
Major escalation in US involvement in Vietnam
1 million tonnes of bombs dropped in Bietnam
By 8 March 1965 how many US marines had arrived in SV
3500
US combat troops now in Vietnam and war has started
What was the Ho Chi Minh trail?
Series of paths tracks and roads to supply vital equipment for Vietcong
Ran through Laos and Cambodia
60 tonnes of supplies received daily through trail
What percentage of US casualties were caused by Vietcong ambushes?
51%
What were GI’s?
US troops
What were the US tactics of search and destroy?
Tried to use vastly superior technology and firepower to their maximum advantage
‘Zippo raids’ Burnett down villages
Name chemical weapons that the US used?
Agent Orange and napalm
What did napalm do?
Burnt through anything it comes into contact with
What was agent orange used to do?
Destroy the jungle do Americans could see Vietcong trails
What was Agent blue used for?
Destroy crops so Vietcong didn’t have food
What was the Tet offensive?
30 January 1968
84,000 Vietcong troops attacked over 100 towns and US bases
American troops 50,000 took back building and towns after 6 hours
60,000 NV and Vietcong troops killed
10,000 SV dead
Why was the Tet offensive a turning point?
US public realised the scale of the war
32 march 1968 Johnson announced he would not stand for re election
Costing $30 billion a year and 300 US troops killed weekly
What was the My Lai massacre?
16 March 1968 at 7:30am US troops under went a search and destroy mission
Charlie Company
Said to be 200 Vietcong geirilla a in area
Some were tortured and raped
No Vietcong found, three weapons uncovered
500 shot by US soldiers
What was the impact of the Amy Lai massacre?
Americans seen as aggressors Us public deeply shocked of brutality The original aim of war was now lost Mistrust of army Opposition to war increased
Only William Calley was charged with murder of 109 people sentenced to life jmprisonment in 1971
How many protestors gathered at Lincoln memorial in October 1967?
100,000
Who were the ‘draft dodgers’ ?
Men aged 18-26
Men began to burn draft cards and refuse to go
Name some high profile critics that opposed Vietnam war?
Muhammad Ali
Martin Luther king ‘ bombs in Vietnam explode at home’
Also caused race problems majority were young black peoples
What was vietnamisation?
President Nixon announced strategy on 3 November 1969. Build up SV army so they could continue war without US help. Slowly remove US troops
‘Peace with honour’
When was Nixon elected?
November 1968
37th President
In march 1969 what did Nixon allow?
Bombing of Cambodia and in April 1970 ordered invasion through 150,000 US troops
Where did Nixon launch attack on 8th February 1971?
Laos
What talks were held in 1970?
I limit amount of nuclear weapons held by USA and USSR
Where was Nixon invited in 1972?
In February Mary invited to china, encouraged china to ask NV to end war
When were the Kent State University Shootings and what were they?
4 students killed by National Guardsman 9 injured
4 May 1970
What was the Watergate scandal?
Led to resignation of Nixon
Nixon linked to burglaries that saw the stealing of secret documents and by telephones
Name 4 strategies used by Nixon to attempt to end the war
Vietnamisation
Pressure
Negotiation
Bombing
When were the Paris Peace talks signed?
27 January 1973
