Korean War Flashcards
D u c k s: causes
Domino theory:
China turned communist in 1949
Truman beloved if one country fell to communism so would others
He was worried that if Korea fell then communists would capture other countries in south east Asia
d U c k s: causes
Undermine communism:
In April 1950 the American national security council issued a report recommending that America abandon ‘containment’ and start getting rid of communism all together
d u C k s: causes
Cold War:
Truman realised the USA was in competition with USSR for world domination
By supporting South Korea, America was able to fight communism without directly attacking Russia
d u c K s: causes
Kim Il Sung visited Stalin:
In 1959, Kim persuaded Stalin that he could conquer South Korea
Stalin didn’t think America would dare to get involved so he gave his agreement
d u c k S: causes
Syngman Rhee:
He boasted that he was going to attack North Korea in 1950
Because of this the North Koreans invaded the south
THIS BEGAN THE KOREAN WAR
role of MacArthur
he led the UN invasion at Inchon in September 1950. it seemed to many that he had become obsessed with victory and had seriously underestimated the power of the chinese
inchon landings and macarthur downfall
macarthur was put in charge of 300,000 UN troops and sucessfully drove the North Koreans out of South Korea at the Inchon landings.
he pushed his troops up the yalu river which bordered China.
he threatened to bomb china using nuclear weapons. this made Truman order Macarthur to withdraw his troops as containment had been achieved.
Macarthur refused these orders and was fired by Truman. Americans saw Macarthur as a hero so this dissapointed them.
consequences of the korean war
- korea suffered 1.3 million casualties- many of them civilians
- koreas industry and farming were lost
- North and South korea failed to take over the country they were fighting for
- china suffered 500,000 casualties due to ‘human wave’ tactics
- chinas relationship with the US suffered
- china developed a much closer relationship to USSR
- USA lost 30,000 troops
- US and UN stopped the spread of communism
- USA increased its defense spending from $12 billion to $60 billion
Cold War start and end
1945-1991
Stalin’s sphere of influence
Stalin wanting to control surrounding countries
What was the Truman doctrine
Containing communism
What was the Marshall plan
To give poorer countries money so communism didn’t spread
“The seeds of communism spread and grow…
… in the soil of poverty”
How much money did Marshall promise to give to countries who need it
$7 billion
Leader of North Korea
Kim Il sung
