Korean War

Question 1

Background to the Korean War (4)

Answer 1

1. Japan had controlled Korea from 1895-1945 and was split between the US and the USSR after WW2. They failed to agree on reunification due to Cold War tensions
2. South Korea: Syngman Rhee (US troops put down uprising in Oct 1948 then left)
3. North Korea: Kim Il Sung (armed by Soviets, popular
4. Frequent border clashes, peaked in Summer of 1948-49, start of war on 25th June 1950

Question 2

Reasons for US entry into the War (5)

Answer 2

1. Michael Hopkins: American anti communism and NSC-68
2. Robert Wood: US economic imperialism
3. Bruce Cummings: Korean nationalism and US responsibility
4. Melvyn Leffler: Fear for Japan
5. John Lewis Gladdis - response to Communist challenge to world balance of power

Question 3

Significance of US entry into the Korean War (3)

Answer 3

1. James Patterson: “significantly expanding and militarizing” US foreign policy
2. Gordon Chang: by sending the 7th fleet to Taiwan the US re-injected themselves into the Chinese Civil War
3. Major domestic support for war: 3/4 in favour, congress cheered when he asked for $10 bill in July 1950, never obtained a congressional declaration of war

Question 4

How did the nature of the Korean War change? (5)

Answer 4

1. Retreat to Pusan Perimeter July-Aug 1950: little motivation, 38C, fermenting cabbage, honey wagons, dysentery, poor air and ground coordination, North Korean brutality, bugout fever, North Korean lost 58,000 men, down to 40 tanks, overstretched supply lines
2. Inchon September 1950: amphibious assault bypassed enemy strongholds, retook Seoul, US aimed to restore status quo but changed to “the destruction of the North Korean armed forces” due to MacArthur’s influence and the need for vengeance
3. China’s Entry Nov 1950: disastrous offensives (radio, supplies, frostbite, -30C, Frozen Chosin - 12 burned by napalm. 25,000 vs 120,00)
4. US Recovery Jan 1951: Matt ‘Old Iron Tits Ridgway “took the defeated army and turned it around, by Feb on the offensive again, by March retaken Seoul, MacArthur fired in April, June Chine requested an armistice yet not signed till 1953 due to hatred (“treacherous savages”) and fear of losing face (PoWs and new leaders.
5. Peter Lowe: “Communists inflexible, Rhee obstructive and Americans simplistic)

Question 5

US or UN War? (4)

Answer 5

1. US+SK forces = 90%; MacArthur only ever directly communicated with Truman; US did what it wanted e.g. Taiwan Straits; miscommunication between international forces
2. UN police action, 40,000 troops from 15 nations, 14 nations sent aid and medics
3. Canada: sent 27,000 soldiers - William Stuek: “provided counterweights…that could have ended in WW3”
4. LA: untraditional, poor, resentful, only Colombia (northern star), Uruguay and Bolivia close to but didn’t due to public pressure.

Question 6

Impact of the Korean War (6)

Answer 6

1. Intensified McCarthyism (85 separate probes between 1951-54). More focus on Asia. 1951 Mutual Security Act - LA received $38 million for military
2. Cost $67 billion; led to 1/2 a million steelworkers striking in 1952
3. Truman’s war; 1st victory of Republicans since 1933, rating 26%, 69% wrong to sack MacArthur, James Patterson: “left virtually powerless”
4. “Saved” South Korea and protected Japan
5. Failed to reunify Korea; damaged Sino-US relations (two decades before they exchanged ambassadors), prompted arms race (hydrogen bomb, NATO, remilitarization of Germany)
6. James Matray: Korea was “a turning point in the Cold War.”