Korean War Flashcards

1
Q

Why was the “Cold War” given its name?

A

There was no direct action/fighting between the USA and USSR.

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2
Q

Was the USA capitalist or communist?

A

Capitalist

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3
Q

Was the USSR capitalist or communist?

A

Communist

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4
Q

Identify two values that capitalist America believed in.

A
  1. Democracy (with elections and different political parties)
  2. The freedom for individuals to run their own businesses and make profits
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5
Q

Identify two values that the communist USSR believed in.

A
  1. One-party state

2. State (government) control over the economy and the distribution (sharing) of wealth

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6
Q

How would you describe relations between the USA and USSR during the Cold War?

A
  1. Extremely tense
  2. Hostile
  3. Competitive
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7
Q

What happened to countries in Eastern Europe after the Second World War?

A

By 1948, the majority of countries had become communist and under the influence of the USSR.

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8
Q

What was the Truman Doctrine, announced by America in 1947?

A

America’s policy of “containment” – preventing the spread of communism.

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9
Q

How did America try to prevent the spread of communism?

A

It gave countries financial aid (e.g. The Marshall Plan in 1948 saw $13 billion given to countries in Europe, and $2 billion was given to Nationalists in China).

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10
Q

Which country in Asia became communist in 1949?

A

China

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11
Q

How had America tried to prevent China from turning communist?

A

They had given the Nationalists (who were fighting against the Communists in China) $2 billion to help them to defeat the Communists.

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12
Q

Who became the leader of the People’s Republic of China in 1949?

A

Mao Zedong

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13
Q

What fear had arisen in America in the late-1940s / early-1950s?

A

The Red Scare – the fear of communism spreading to America.

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14
Q

What was the “domino theory” which was believed in America?

A

The belief that if one country turns communist, other countries nearby will also fall to communism.

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15
Q

Which country controlled Korea from 1910 to the end of the Second World war in 1945?

A

Japan

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16
Q

Who liberated (freed) Korea from Japanese control after the Second World War?

A

The Soviet Union liberated the Northern region of the country, and the USA liberated the South.

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17
Q

What happened to North Korea after the Second World War?

A

It became a communist country and introduced a Soviet-style one-party system of government.

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18
Q

Who was the leader of North Korea after the Second World War?

A

Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung

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19
Q

What happened to South Korea after the Second World War?

A

The country was anti-Communist. Even though it was not very democratic, it won the support of the Americans.

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20
Q

Who was the leader of South Korea after the Second World war?

A

President Syngman Rhee

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21
Q

What was the name of the border between North and South Korea?

A

The 38th parallel

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22
Q

Was the division of Korea after the Second World War supposed to be permanent or temporary?

A

Temporary

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23
Q

What was expected to take place in Korea in the year 1948?

A

Elections to re-unite the country

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24
Q

What happened to relations between North and South Korea after the Second World War?

A

Relations soured and became increasingly tense, as the North followed communist policies and the South capitalist policies.

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25
Q

Did elections take place in Korea in 1948, as planned? If not, what happened instead?

A

No.

Instead, President Syngman Rhee held and won elections in South Korea in 1948, while Kim Il Sung announced North Korea was a separate and independent communist Republic.

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26
Q

When was the Korean War?

A

June 1950 – July 1953

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27
Q

Describe North Korea’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

A
  1. To successfully take over the territory of South Korea.

2. To unite Korea as a communist country.

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28
Q

Describe America’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

A
  1. To halt / “contain” the spread of communism in Korea and elsewhere in Asia.
  2. To demonstrate America’s strength against communism.
  3. For President Truman and government to win the support of the American people.
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29
Q

Describe China’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

A
  1. To establish their international status and military strength.
  2. To aid the spread of communism
  3. To make Korea a communist “buffer state”, secure its borders and remove the presence of capitalism.
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30
Q

Describe the USSR’s aims in the Korean War (1950-1953).

A
  1. To aid the spread of communism.

2. To avoid provoking war with America (who has more nuclear weapons).

31
Q

When did the North Korean People’s Army invade South Korea?

A

June 25, 1950

32
Q

How many North Korean soldiers invaded South Korea in June 1950?

A

75,000 soldiers

33
Q

From June to September 1950, how much territory did the North Korean People’s Army occupy in the South?

A

They had taken over nearly the entire territory of South Korea, with the exception of an area in the southeast region of the country.

34
Q

How would you describe the success of the North Korea between June 1950 and September 1950?

A

Highly successful – South Korea did not have the military power to stop the North taking over nearly the entire territory of South Korea.

35
Q

How did America respond to the invasion of South Korea? (Give two responses)

A
  1. They immediately sent advisers, supplies and warships to the waters around Korea.
  2. They put pressure on the United Nations Security Council to condemn the actions of North Korea and to ask them to withdraw their troops.
36
Q

What is the United Nations (UN), and when was it set up?

A

An international organisation that aims to prevent war and promote international co-operation. It was set up after the Second World War in 1945.

37
Q

What did member countries of the United Nations do after North Korea’s invasion of the South?

A

They voted on whether the UN should get involved in conflict.

38
Q

Why did the USSR not take part in, and veto (block), the UN vote to intervene in Korea?

A

The USSR was boycotting the UN at the time. This was because America had stopped China’s entry to the United Nations and did not recognise Mao Zedong and the Communists as the rightful leaders of China.

39
Q

What did the UN agree to do in Korea?

A

They agreed to help South Korea militarily by forcing North Korea out of the South, to restore international peace and to protect the region.

40
Q

Which provided most of the soldiers and funding for the UN’s involvement?

A

America

41
Q

Who was commander / leader of the UN force sent to Korea?

A

General Douglas MacArthur

42
Q

When did the UN troops arrive in Korea?

A

September 1950

43
Q

Where did UN troops land in September 1950?

A

They landed in Inchon and Pusan

44
Q

How many UN troops were sent to Korea in September 1950?

A

75,000 UN troops

45
Q

How successful was the UN involvement in Korea from September 1950 to October 1950?

A

Highly successful – the UN forces and South Korean troops drove the North Korean People’s Army back beyond the 38th parallel to the Yalu river on the Chinese border.

46
Q

How did America’s / the UN’s policy in Korea change during the Korean War?

A

It changed from the policy of “containment” (pushing the North Korean army back over the 38th parallel) to one of “roll back” (attempting to eradicate communist North Korea completely).

47
Q

When did China enter the Korean War?

A

October 1950

48
Q

Why did China enter the Korean War in October 1950?

A

Encouraged by America to do so, the UN forces had forced the North Korean army to the Chinese border – China considered this a direct threat to the survival of their new Communist state.

49
Q

How did the Soviet Union support China and North Korea during the war?

A

They provided military advice and equipment, such as modern tanks and planes.

50
Q

How successful were China’s “People’s Volunteers” (the army) From October 1950 and January 1951?

A

Very successful – the United Nations troops were pushed back beyond the 38th parallel into South Korea.

51
Q

How would you describe the Korean War between 1951 and 1953?

A

It was at a stalemate (standstill) on the 38th parallel – neither side forced the other beyond the border.

52
Q

Why was General MacArthur sacked in 1951?

A

MacArthur wanted to carry on the war and follow a more aggressive policy (including invading China and using nuclear weapons). President Truman disagreed and did not want to risk entering a war with China and the USSR. MacArthur did not follow instructions and openly threatened war with China in March 1951. He was subsequently removed from his position as commander.

53
Q

When did peace talks between the North and South begin?

A

June 1951

54
Q

Why did peace talks fail between North and South in 1951?

A

The countries disagreed over an exchange of prisoners, and fighting continued.

55
Q

Who was elected President of the USA in 1952, and why did this help to end the war?

A

Dwight D. Eisenhower

He was committed to end the war in Korea.

56
Q

Who died in March 1953, and why did this help to end the war?

A

Josef Stalin (leader of the USSR)

After this, China and North Korea were not confident that the USSR would continue to support the war.

57
Q

When was the armistice (agreement to end the war) finally signed?

A

July 1953

58
Q

How many Korean casualties were there during the war?

A

1.3 million (almost equal numbers from the North and the South).

59
Q

What proportion of Korean civilians were killed during the war?

A

1 in 10

60
Q

What other negative effects did the war have on Korea?

A

Industry and agriculture was in ruin, and millions of civilians were forced to flee their homes.

61
Q

How many South Korean soldiers died during the war?

A

415,000 soldiers

62
Q

How many American soldiers died during the war?

A

33,000 soldiers

63
Q

By how much did American defence spending rise during the war?

A

Increased significantly from $12 billion to $60 billion.

64
Q

How many Chinese casualties were there during the war?

A

Over half a million

65
Q

What was placed on China during the war following support from the UN?

A

A trade embargo (ban)

66
Q

What organisation was created in 1954, which aimed to contain communism in Asia?

A

The South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO)

67
Q

hat happened to relations between China and the US after the war?

A

Relations became extremely tense. China had shown itself to be committed to the spread of communism and a direct threat to the values of the US.

68
Q

What happened to relations between the US and USSR after the war?

A

There was further tension and competition. The USSR committed themselves further in the expensive nuclear arms race with America.

69
Q

What happened to relations between China and the USSR after the Korean War?

A

With the trade embargo placed on China during the war, China became more dependent on the USSR. However, tensions began to develop, as Soviet involvement in the war had been limited to air support and equipment, not troops.

70
Q

Did America meet its aims during the Korean War?

A

Yes – South Korea remained an independent country, and communism had been successful contained.

No – North Korea remained communist (“roll back” had failed).

71
Q

Did China meet its aims during the Korean War?

A

Yes – China established its international reputation as a strong, military power in the world. North Korea remained communist and a “buffer state” protecting China’s borders.

No – China’s involvement in the war had not succeeded in turning South Korea into a Communist country.

72
Q

Did the USSR meet its aims during the Korean war?

A

Yes – The USSR had provided military support (short of troops), ensuring that North Korea remained a Communist country.

No – North Korea did not successfully take over the South, and communism had not spread.

73
Q

Did North Korea meet its aims during the Korean War?

A

Yes – The country remained independent and free from communist control.

74
Q

Did the United Nations meet its aims during the Korean War?

A

Yes – The organisation had taken quick and direct action, and prevented the takeover of South Korea. Its effectiveness was also clear, as 18 nations had worked together during the war to provide troops or support to the UN.