Korean War Flashcards
Causes of the Korean War
Division of Korea along the 38th parallel following WWII
Japanese surrender claims to region following war (occupied since 1904)
North Korea occupied by the Soviet Union
South Korea occupied by the United States
Each power is to leave the region in timely fashion (elections)
Two different countries, governments and systems emerge in region
North Korea under Kim Il Sung leadership (communist)
South Korea under Sygman Rhee’s leadership (capitalist)
1949 China becomes communist
USSR develops Hydrogen bomb
Both China and USSR support Kim Il Sung’s desire to invade South
Course of the Conflict
June 1950 – North Korean forces invade south – capture much of region
American response – NCS 68 – need to contain, stop spread (military)
UN Security Council declares act of aggression (USSR boycotting)
July 1950 – United Nations troops – led by Douglas McArthur assist South
UN drives the North Koreans all the way back to Chinese boarder (land Inchon)
October 1950 – China backs North Korea and drives UN forces into South
March 1951 – UN troops received reinforcements – drive Chinese back
McArthur argues in favour of expanding the war – invade/bomb China
Truman will dismiss McArthur (containment, not roll back) – pursues end
By end of 1951 armistice discussed – negotiations would continue for 2 years
Reasons for Armistice
China interested in focusing on domestic issues/policies
USSR less interested in financing war when end does not appear
US less interested in continuing to support – cost, less popular, etc
New leaders would eventually emerge – Eisenhower and Khruschev
New direction in foreign policy would soon follow as well
Significance of the Conflict
Over 50 years of armistice (still in state of war technically)
Country still divided between North and South (along 38th parallel)
1st major conflict (war) of the Cold War period
1st use of United Nations forces in war (stop aggression)
1st example of Proxy War
Close to 22 nations involved and close to 5 million lives lost
Would change US policy to some extent – containment militarily
Would result in a divide within America - complete victory vs limited war
Cold War also shifted – military spending and armament – extension of Alliances
See the formation of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) -1954
