korean war

Question 1

CAUSES OF KOREAN WAR

North and South Korea

Answer 1

Split at 38th parallel
North Korea
Ruled by Kim Il Sung
Communist

•South Korea
Ruled by Syngman Rhee
Anti-communist
Not democratic
Both leaders had different political ideologies and both wanted to rule the whole of Korea = tension/ suspicion

Question 2

CAUSES OF KOREAN WAR
WHY USA GOT INVOLVED?
FEAR

Answer 2

FEAR OF COMMUNISM
Belief in Domino Theory.
China becoming communist in 1949 increased fear.
USA had created the Truman Doctrine in 1947. This was to help the USA contain communism, by giving help to countries under threat.

Question 3

CAUSES OF KOREAN WAR
WHY USA GOT INVOLVED?
THREAT

Answer 3

POWER/ THREAT OF NORTH KOREA
N invaded S in June 1950
Within 4 months, N Korea pushed S Korea back to far south east corner (Pusan Pocket)
= Increasing chance of S Korea falling completely to communism = more action needed by USA.

Question 4

IMPACT OF THE KOREAN WAR

TERRITORY

Answer 4

War ended with a peace treaty.
Negotiations defined the territory as the same as before.
North Korea – Communist, South Korea – Anti- communist.
DIVIDED BY 38TH PARALLEL

Question 5

IMPACT OF THE KOREAN WAR
CONTAINMENT OF COMMUNISM
REPUTATION OF UN

Answer 5

CONTAINMENT OF COMMUNISM
- South Korea was saved from communism = USA achieved their aim to contain communism.

REPUTATION OF UN

• Strengthened the reputation of the UN.
• Successfully intervened to help South Korea resist the aggression of North Korea.

Question 6

IMPACT OF THE KOREAN WAR

HUMAN COST

Answer 6

HUMAN COST

• 1 in 10 Korean civilians killed.
• Korean – over 1 million casualties.
• China – 150,00 killed.
• Homes, businesses, agriculture and industry in Korea destroyed.
• Severe loss of life, especially for those who were not even part of the armed forces – estimates between 2-4 million.

Question 7

IMPACT OF THE KOREAN WAR

IMPACT ON COLD WAR

Answer 7

IMPACT ON COLD WAR

• Increased tension between USA and China. China now part of Cold War – Cold War had spread to Asia.
• Truman not prepared to fight directly with China: Fired MacArthur for threatening use of atomic bomb on China.
• More competition in arms race between USSR and USA, both wanted to be stronger/ more advanced weapons to take dominant position.
• USA belief in domino theory: suspicion over actions of USSR.

Question 8

EVENTS OF THE KOREAN WAR –

STAGE ONE

Answer 8

STAGE ONE
June 1950
• North Korea, led by Kim Il Sung, invades South Korea.
• USSR provided weapons, equipment and money to North Korea to strengthen their attack.

Question 9

EVENTS OF THE KOREAN WAR

STAGE TWO

Answer 9

STAGE TWO
Sept 1950
• South Korean Army forced to retreat back to the south east corner of South Korea, called the Pusan Pocket. North Korea control the rest of South Korea.
• USA very concerned about this. They refer the problem to the United Nations.
• United Nations request North Korea remove their forces from South Korea. North Korea refuse.
• United Nations vote to approve sending troops in to help South Korea. USSR not present to veto – boycotting.

Question 10

EVENTS OF KOREAN WAR

STAGE THREE

Answer 10

STAGE THREE
Nov 1950
• UN forces (mainly American led by General MacArthur) land at Inchon and attack North Korean forces.
• UN forces push North Korea back into their own territory, then continue to force them further back towards the border with China.
• China enter the war – 200,000 Peoples Volunteers (Chinese forces) join to fight in support of North Korea.
• General MacArthur wanted to engage in direct war with China, using the atomic bomb. President Truman did not want this – General MacArthur sacked.

Question 11

EVENTS OF KOREAN WAR

STAGE FOUR

Answer 11

STAGE FOUR
July 1953
• Chinese and North Korean forces push UN forces back. Fighting reached a stalemate at the 38th Parallel.
• Peace negotiated between USA, North Korea and China.
• Border remained where it was – at the 38th Parallel.