Korean War Flashcards
What were the aims of Kim Il Sung( NK)
Supported by china and Russia
Wanted reunification with him as leader- pro-soviet/Chinese but an independent country
What were the aims of Rhee
Reunify Korea as a pro-American but independent state with himself as leader
Sought American support for an attack on the north
What were the boarder clashes
Mostly initiated by south
Began in summer of 1948 and peaked summer of 1949
BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR
How did the US contribute to the outbreak of the war
-12 January 1950 speech, Secretary of State Dean Acheson failed to specify whether Korea was an area beyond the US defence perimeter that would get UN support if attacked
-Democrat chairman of the senate Foreign relations committee, Senator Connally, made a speech that suggested acceptance of a possible communist takeover the South.
-January 1950, the Republican dominated congress rejected a bill for aid in Korea (the bill was passed in February) but were trying to make a point of opposition to the Democrat presidents China Policy.
Suggested to communists that Korea mattered very little to the US and that an attack on South Korea wouldn’t be opposed
HOWEVER there is no evidence that China or the USSR paid attention to the actions of the US gov.that led to the assumption by the North
Why did the Russians support the North
Didn’t offer support in 1949– maybe due to threats of US intervention. BUT gave the go ahead in March 1950.
-needed to prove that the Soviet Union could be relied upon in case other communist countries started looking to Mao (china became communist 1949) for leadership
- on the 28th January 1950 Stalin received intelligence info that suggested that the US wouldn’t defend te south if attacked may have been based on Achesons speech
-wanted to pre-empt a South Korean attack on North Korea
-feared Japanese development from foe of US to friend and was only about 100 miles from Korea. The Soviet Union would be safer if Korea was communist
Why did China support the North
Concerned over Japanese resurgent and was worried over American influence in Korea
Spring 1949 Mao promised Sung eventual support and when he met him in May 1950, he was even more enthusiastic
Offered to send troops to the Sino-Korean boarder but was told that the Koreans could handle themselves
When were the Geneva accord made
1954
What did the Geneva accords agree
Vietnam would be divided-North/communist,South/Diem
Viet Minh would leave south Vietnam
10km demilitarised zone
French would leave the south
1956 democratic elections would be held and Vietnam would be reunified
No one would be able to make a foreign alliance
What was the significance of the Geneva accords
-negotiations showed Ho Chi Minh that support from the soviets and Chinese were limited- in order to gain a ceasefire that was in their interest they made him accept a settlement that stated that the viet Minh would retreat behind the 17th Parallel
-the us didn’t sign the accords and the election wouldn’t take place as HCM would win (Eisenhower thought he would get 80%)
Led to the creation of SEATO
What was SEATOs purpose
Focus on cultural, medical and technological ideas
The successes of SEATO
Founded cultural and educational programmes
Members participated in joint military exercises
When was SEATO disbanded
1977
When was SEATO created
1954
Where was seato based
Bangkok, Thailand
Why did seato fail
No common military
Most south eat countries didn’t join- most seato members were Westen states (eg Britain, New Zealand, France) (Philippines and Thailand where apart of it)
Disparity over wealth and religion
What did SEATO stand for
Southeast Asia treaty organisation
What was the hopes for seato
That it would become the a Southeast Asian equivalent of NATO
