Korean War

Question 1

What is communism

Answer 1

A political and economic system where major productive resources are state owned and wealth is divided equally. No private ownership

Question 2

What is capitalism

Answer 2

Economic system based on 3 things: wage labour, private ownership or control over means of production for exchange of individual profit

Question 3

What is the background of the Korean War

Answer 3

• 1910-1945 was a Japanese colony (Japan surrendered its territories to USA + USSR)
• Japanese troops surrendered to USSR in north; Japanese troops surrendered to USA in south = 38th parallel (dividing line)
• 47 UN = worldwide meeting - democratic government - never happened (Korea divided)
• south = election (Republic of Korea) = Syngman Rhee (gov= Seoul)
• same year (USSR) = Democratic People’s Republic of Korea elected = Kim ll Sung (gov = Pyongyang)
• both claimed = only legitimate gov of Korea
• 49 = both withdrew troops but support = financial aid

Question 4

North Korea’s surprise attack

Answer 4

• unite Korea under communist rule
• 50 believe invasion = successful
• south gov = unpopular + ppl wanted reunification w/ north
• therefore, north attacked south crossing 38th parallel
• USA caught off guard (no plan ready)
• discussed sending general McArthur lead military response

Question 5

Why did the North invade the South

Answer 5

• North = support both USSR + China
• North armed forces = stronger than South
• North believed USA response unlikely (Communist China)
• USSR successfully tested atomic bomb = intensified arms race + Cold War
• USA made clear Korea = not main priority
• USA = more concerned = Berlin Crisis

Question 6

How did the UN become involved

Answer 6

• UN = closely associated w/ establishing democratic gov = Korea
• excluded by USSR = events leading up to North Korea’s gov
• 50 = north crossed 38th parallel = meeting UN Security Council
• stated for North withdraw troops (breach of contract) = passed without USSR = no veto
• North = no intention = withdrawing troops = Security Council pass 2nd resolution
• UN provide assistance to South = repel attack + restore peace
• military forces placed in South = co ordinate the war effort led by General McArthur
• international troops = sent to Korea = assist n war

Question 7

Why did the USA become involved in Korean War

Answer 7

• involved establishment = Republic of Korea
• prevent spread of communism (containment) - South fell = domino effect take place
• thus, prevent spread of communism = direct military force
• most military forces were Korean

Question 8

The key events of Korean War 1950-1953

Answer 8

• phase 1( June- Sep 1950 ) : success of North
  North overran South + pushed back UN + South forces (gained territory)
• phase 2 ( Sep - Oct): success of UNO
  Launched counter attack - broke through perimeter + headed northwards
  Seoul recaptured + North driven back
• Phase 3 ( Oct - Nov ): UNO attempts unite Korea
  Little resistance
  North capital captured
• phase 4 ( Nov - Jan ): Chinese attack =
  China fearing invasion launched massive counter attack
  China drove back UN over 38th parallel + Seoul fell back to communists
  -phase 5 ( Jan - July ) : UNO counter attacks
  UN pushes Chinese + North back
  McArthur dismissed (suggested use nuclear weapons)
  -phase 6 ( 51-53): Stalemate + armistice
  Negotiations = peaceful settlement -= 2 years
  Fighting continued + little values changed

Question 9

Results of Korean War

Answer 9

• UN = purposeful + military action used to reverse act of aggression (USSR)
• UN failed achieve unified Korea
• UN actions = US refusal adding China + lack of Soviets protest
• set the tone = Cold War + showed USA + USSR fight a limited war
• limited war fought again = Middle East, Vietnam , Angola
• West Germany joined NATO = target (USSR)
• WARSAW pact = retaliation of NATO
• first war UN participated in = puppet for USA
• Korea = massive damages to economy
• South + North = industrialise ; North economy = crisis (1990)