Korean war Flashcards
In what ways did tension lead to the start of the Cold War?
Political ideologies
Wartime alliances
Post-war Soviet expansion
The Truman Doctrine
Why did the North invade the South?
The division of Korea
Nationalist leaders
The influence of communist China
Who was the leader of North Korea?
Kim Il - Sung
Who was the leader of South Korea?
Syngman Rhee
Who was the leader of communist China?
Moa Zedong
When did the North invade the South?
25th June 1950
How big were the armies at the beginning of the war?
North Korean People’s army - 200,000
South Korea - Less than 100,000
Why was the UN able to condemn the actions of North Korea?
The USSR was not able to veto the decision as they were boycotting China not being allowed to join the security council.
What proportion did the US make up of the UN invasion force?
50% of all armed forces
86% naval forces
93% air force
16 countries contributed to the invasion force
When were the Inchon landings?
15th September 1950
When did UN forces begin to advance North?
October 1950
How many Chinese soldiers marched across the Yalu river?
200,000 - supported by weapons, planes and tanks contributed by the USSR
When did UN forces recapture Seoul?
March 1951
How many people died during US air raids?
Approximately 1 million
What did the USSR do to stop the discovery of Soviet involvement?
Soviet planes were painted with NK / Chinese markings.
Pilots were banned from speaking Russian
Some war Chinese uniforms
When did UN, China and NK sign a peace treaty?
27th July 1953
How big was the demilitarised zone?
3km wide
How many UN soldiers were killed?
40,000 killed
100,000 wounded
How many Chinese soldiers died?
600,000
How many South Korean people died?
200,000 soldiers
1 million civilians
How many North Korean people died?
400,000 soldiers
600,000 civilians
How was North Korea affected by bombing?
80% of government and industrial buildings were destroyed
50% of all housing was destroyed
Almost all of transport networks destroyed
How did superpowers help out after the destruction of Korea?
US sent financial aid to SK
China and USSR cancelled NK’s debt
China and USSR sent financial aid
How was the reputation of the UN affected?
Made it clear they would stand up to aggressors
Proved they were superior to League of Nations
Some saw UN as a puppet of the US
The unification of Korea did not happen
