How effectively did the USA contain the spread communism? - The Korean War Flashcards
When did the Japanese start controlling Korea?
1910
What happened in Korea in WW2?
The Japanese troops based in the north of Korea surrendered to the Soviet Union while those based n the south surrendered to the Americans
Where was the temporary dividing line drawn between north and south Korea drawn up?
The 38th parallel of latitude
What happened in Korea after the Japanese had surrendered?
Free elections were to be held for a united, democratic Korea
When were elections in Korea held?
1948; the elections were separate between the north and south
What did the elections in South Korea decide?
The south of Korea became the Republic of Korea, a capitalist dictatorship
What did the elections in North Korea decide?
The north of Korea became the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, there was a communist dictatorship
This was supported by China and the Soviet Union
When did North Korean soldiers invade South Korea?
25th June 1950
Why did North Korea invade South Korea?
Kim Il-Sung wanted a united Korea under communist rule
How did the United Nations become involved in the Korean war?
President Truman send the US Seventh Fleet to try to prevent a Chinese attack on Taiwan. He ordered General MacArthur to go to Korea with military supplies
When did the UN Security Council meet?
On the day that North Korean troops crossed the border into South Korea
What was decided in the UN Security Council?
An American resolution was passed demanding the withdrawal of the North Koreans.
Its passing was made possible by the absence of the Soviet representative on the Security council
This was because at that time, the Soviets were protesting against America’s treatment of communist China, so there were no Russians present to use the veto
How did the North Koreans respond to the resolution passed by the Security Council?
North Korea had no intention of withdrawing
What did the UN do after the North Koreans refused to withdraw?
A second American resolution was put forward on the 27th of June.
A third resolution 10 days later made clear how military forces were to be deployed
Who was sent to assist South Korea?
Troops from American and 15 other countries
What was the attitude of the USA to the invasion of South Korea?
Under their policy of containment, the USA was determined to stop further communist expansion
The actions of north Korea were seen as part of Moscow’s attempt to gain world domination
What did the USA fear about the invasion?
US feared that success in South Korea would encourage communist China to attack Taiwan
If South Korea and Taiwan fell to the communists, Japan would come under threat
The fall of South Korea, Taiwan and Japan to the communists would represent a major shift in world power balance
What was the state of Korea by September 1950?
Only a small corner of Korea was not controlled by the communists
Where did UN troops land in Korea?
They landed at Inchon. Here the communists were pushed back into North Korea
Truman decided to pursue the communists and so the UN troops invaded North Korea
How did China react to the invasion of North Korea?
Chinese leader Mao Zedong was angered by this
He send a large Chinese army to attach MacArthur’s army
What had China force the UN army to do?
In 1951 the UN army was forced to retreat back into the South, followed by the communists
What did the UN do after the Chinese interfered?
A UN counter-attack forced the Chinese and North Koreans back to the 38th parallel
President Truman did not want a lengthy or costly war in Asia, but McArthur wanted to carry on into China
When was MacArthur dismissed?
April 1951
When was the ceasefire agreed to and what was the result?
1953
This left Korea as two separate countries
Truman settled for communism being contained in North Korea
