Conflict in Korea Flashcards
Who controlled Korea during World War Two?
Japan (up until their surrender)
What was the 38th Parallel?
The line that separated North and South Korea
Which part did the USSR and USA occupy post 1945?
Soviet occupied North Korea and USA occupied South.
Who were the UN?
The United Nations. An international organisation formed by the West and so the USSR refused to engage in UN discussions.
Elections took place in which part of Korea in 1948?
South Korea, a Republic of Korea was formally established in 1948.
Who was the leader of South Korea?
Syngman Rhee, a staunch anti communist, expatriate who had lived in the USA for forty years before returning to South Korea.
Who were the People’s Committees?
A left wing group who had grown in power after the Second World War, seizing control in the North as a communist group.
Who was the leader of North Korea?
Kim II Sung, a hero of the resistance to the Japanese rule, he had received military training in the USSR.
In what year did the USA and USSR withdraw from Korea?
1949
How did the USA view Korea in 1950?
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.
In 1949 where did fighting take place in Korea?
Along the 38th Parallel, 400 soldiers were killed in May 1949.
Why did the US fear the North’s invasion of the South in 1950?
The US saw the invasion as a direct order from Moscow and an example of further communist expansion.
How many days passed before US intervention after the North invaded the South?
Two days
What happened when the UN called on North Korea to withdraw from the South?
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.
Why was the USSR unhappy with the United Nations?
China was not allowed to be a part of the UN due to communism, therefore the USSR were unhappy with the UN.
Which countries sent troops as part of the UN to Korea?
South Korea – 590,911. United States – 302,483. Australia – 17,000. United Kingdom – 14,198. Thailand – 6,326. Canada – 6,146. Turkey – 5,453. Philippines – 1,468
Who led US troops in Korea?
General MacArthur
Which city did the North push troops towards in June 1950?
Seoul
By September 1950 where had the North Koreans pushed the South Koreans back to?
Inchon
When did the South Korean forces enter North Korea and cross the 38th Parallel?
UN forces invaded North Korea in October 1950 and moved rapidly towards the Yalu River
As the North took control of the South which group established power?
North Korean People’s Army
What success did MacArthur have in 1950?
his troops repelled the North Koreans and eventually drove them back toward the Chinese border.
Why did China enter the war?
The UN forces pushed up to the Yalu River. This caused the Chinese to worry
How did MacArthur recommend dealing with the Chinese and North Korean attack.
General MacArthur wanted to nuke them
