Korean War

Question 1

Define: Start of Korean war

Answer 1

Kim Ill Sung had the support of USSR and China —–> Gain confidence —> North Korea Invaded South Korea

Question 2

China got involved because of the desire to help North Korea (3 egs)

Answer 2

1. North Korea was once a colony of Japan, China wanted to help them fight to free themselves of their imperial past
2. Russia had made it clear that they did not intend to be directly involved, afraid that it will escalate to Berlin
3. North Korean troops had helped the CCP against the nationalists

Question 3

State USSR’s involvement & the reason why/ The Korean war started because of USSR (2+7 egs)

Answer 3

Involvement:
1.Supply North Korea with Weapons so they were confident to attack South Korea.
2. Soviet Fighter Planes needed and provided
Reason:
1. Close to USSR and China (can be used against them)
2. Had achieved atomic parity, did not fear US, willing to support North Korea
3. Stalin worried about a strong democratic Japan
4. China was a potential communist rival, had already agreed to help north Korea
5. the Korean war would distract US from the cold war in Europe
6. Singed Sino-Soviet treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance, did not need to be directly involved
7. Needed Korea to spread communism

Question 4

Why USA got involved/ The Korean war started because of USA (6 Egs)

Answer 4

1. Fear of growing communism
   - Winning in Eastern Europe
   - Berlin Blockade
   - Nuclear parity with USSR
   - Fall of China to communism (CCP overthrew KMT)
2. McCarthyism resulted in large scale anti-communism and fears of communists in the US government, Truman needed to be seen as though and able handle the communists
3. NSC-68 document described the threat of communism in a ‘polarized world’,
4. Rhee seen as rash, USA did not give enough weapons to South Korea (caused North Korea to invade)
5. UN’s first big test. Failure may result in another future conflict like in WW2 where the failure of LON played a major role in
6. Fears for Japan
   - Only 100 miles from Korea
   - newly democratic, will fall easily to communism
   - Could be used as a base against communism in asia

Question 5

The Korean war started because of South Korea (4 egs)

Answer 5

1. Syngman Rhee was willing to use force on north Korea, was a dictator who imposed harsh measures on his opponents (Jeju island massacre and secret police)
2. South Korea only armed with light weapons whereas North Korea possessed heavy tanks and artillery
3. Border clashes with North Korea when South Korea ships attacked North Korea
4. Exit of US advisors early on shows that had not intended to be heavily involved

Question 6

The Korean war started because of North Korea (3 egs)

Answer 6

1. Kim Ill Sung was willing to use force, had made several trips to Mao Ze Dong and Stalin asking for help
2. Even though he was rejected by Stalin twice, Stalin eventually agreed to help him
3. Exit of Soviet advisors early on shows that they did not intend to be heavily involved

Question 7

Korea was separated at the 38th parallel after WW2 because of its strong nationalist leaders. (5 Egs)

Answer 7

1. North Korea requested for the withdrawal of America and the Soviet Union since 1947
2. Kim Ill sung built a personality cult using propaganda
3. Kim Il sung promoted self-sufficiency, isolated North Korea from the world
4. Rhee was anti-communist, did not hesitate to use force as seen from the Jeju Island massacre
5. Korea had been under Japanese rule and both leaders wanted independence

Question 8

Korea was separated at the 38th parallel after WW2 because of Cold War politics (4 egs)

Answer 8

1. In Potsdam conference, Western powers divided Korea into North and South (no agreement to unite Korea since US afraid of Soviet dominance)
2. In Yalta conference, USSR was promised North Korea in return for helping it against the Japanese
3. Korea was important to spread communism in Asia and support communist China
4. UN held elections but North Korea boycotted. USSR did not allow for elections and wanted to continue to have control.

Question 9

China got involved because of the aggressive UN (4 egs)

Answer 9

1. USA helped KMT against the CCP
2. General Macarthur disobeyed Truman’s orders to fight a limited war
3. Despite Br being unhappy, Macarthur led the UN troops close to the Yalu river where they were pushed back by a large Chinese army protecting its Sovereignty against the democratic west
4. Macarthur wanted to resort to nuclear warfare following China’s retaliation

Question 10

China got involved because of its desire to spread communism. (3 Egs)

Answer 10

1. Improve China’s reputation as a communist country
2. As the west had supported the nationalists, China felt that it was important to ally with USSR to spread communism to the world
3. When Macarthur led the UN troops close to the Yalu river where they were pushed back by a large Chinese army protecting its Sovereignty against the democratic west