Korean War Flashcards
Describe the timeline for the Korean War
- Korea is divided along the 38th parallel. The USSR controlled NK and the USA controlled SK.
- Each government set up a rival state. NK led by Kim II-Sung was communist. SK led by Syngman Rhee was apparently democratic but was in fact a dictator.
June 1950. NK invaded SK. By September the SK army was pushed into a small area called Pusan point. The USA used the United Nations as a front to invade Korea and prevent a communist takeover. UN boycotted by USSR. The army was led by General McArthur.
October 1950. 250,000 Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River. They fought alongside NK as ‘Chinese people volunteers.’ This pushed the UN back into Korea. This led to a fallout between Truman and McAuther. McAuther wanted to risk war with china but Truman did not. McAurther was dismissed in April 1951.
July 1953. After two years of costly offences and counter attacks an armistice was signed at Panmunjom.
What was the USAs relationship with china like?
USA had longstanding trade with china.
In 1949 Mao Tse Tung became leader of communist china. The most populated country became communist.
In 1950 China signed a friendship treaty with USSR. This confirmed the USA’s fears of a communist takeover in Asia.
What were some possible causes for the Korean War?
May be a show of soviet strength towards the USA as a part of the Cold War (to get their own back for the Berlin airlift)
A Show of soviet strength against the Chinese.
Attack provoked by South Korea to regain American help against communism. (NK claimed SK attacked first).
An independent attack by NK because the US didn’t include Korea in her defence plan.
A NK attack planned in Moscow and backed by pecking (capital of China). It would strengthen USSR’s defences in the pacific. (US thought this was the cause).
Why did the USA get involved in the Korean War?
Truman doctrine- preventing spread of communism. They feared the invasion was a plan to turn Asia communist.
USA had long standing trade with China, spending $2 billion to help nationalists win during the civil war. However, China became communist.
USSR developed an atom bomb in 1949 and signed a friendship treaty with China In February 1950.
Why did the USSR and China get involved in the Korean War?
They feared the USA would use the UN army to remove communist control in North Korea and China.
It was clear that McArthur and Truman were following a more ambitious aim to roll back communism from all of Korea. They were afraid to risk open war as USA had nuclear weapons.
The USA underestimated China. Truman and McArthur had a fallout over risking war with China.
What did Korea gain and lose from the Korean War?
Gained:
Nothing. Relations between north and south continue to be very bitter.
Lost:
1.3 million casualties in SK, 520,000 in NK, and over 3,000,000 civilian casualties.
Industry destroyed, agriculture ruined, millions of refugees.
A demilitarised zone was created along the border of NK and SK.
What did The UN gain and lose from the Korean War?
Gained:
Respect, by taking prompt and direct action. Used combined force to stop aggression.
Lost:
17,000 casualties; conduct of war almost entirely by USA and UN be seen as USAs puppet.
What did the USA gain and lose from the Korean War?
Gained:
Stopped SK becoming communist, proving the containment policy worked in Asia. Prevented the ‘domino effect.’
The USA would sign agreements with Japan, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand to help prevent the spread of communism in the far east.
Lost:
142,000 casualties.
Spent 12-60 billion dollars on defence, but failed to liberate NK.
What did the USSR gain and lose from the Korean War?
Gained:
Achieved closer friendship with China, taking advantage of her conflict with USA.
Lost:
Forced into an expensive arms race with USA.
What did China gain and lose from the Korean War?
Gained:
Respect of Asian communism.
Saved NK from USA, keeping its crucial buffer state on the eastern frontier.
Closer friendship with Russia.
Lost:
900,000 casualties.
Very expensive for a poor country.
Failed to win SK for communism.
Increased American protection from Taiwan, and isolated from her in trade and politics.
