Lesson 2: Korea and Other Postwar Conflicts

Question 1

38th Parallel Definition

Answer 1

the dividing line between South and North Korea

Question 2

Censure Definition

Answer 2

to officially condemn

Question 3

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Definition

Answer 3

(DMZ) an area in which military forces are prohibited

Question 4

McCarthyism Definition

Answer 4

the use of reckless charges of disloyalty

Question 5

Perjury Definition

Answer 5

to lie under oath

Question 6

From which years was Korea a Japanese colony?

Answer 6

1910 to 1945

Question 7

As WWII ended, what did the United States and the Soviet Union agree on, relating to Korea? As the Cold War deepened, however, what condition did Korea remain in? What did the U.S. support in South Korea? What did the Soviet Union support in North Korea? Was there an agreement on how to reunite Korea?

Answer 7

As World War II ended, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to a temporary division of Korea at the 38th parallel of latitude. Both nations agreed that Korea would soon be reunited. As the Cold War deepened, however, Korea remained divided. The United States backed a noncommunist government in South Korea. The Soviet Union supported the Communist government of North Korea. There was no agreement on when, or how, to reunite Korea.

Question 8

In June 1950, what did North Korean troops launch? This marked the beginning of what conflict? How did the South Korean army respond? Within days, what had the North Korean army captured? How did President Truman respond? Which general did Truman chose to lead the UN forces in Korea? What percentage of the troops were American? (Beginning of Korean War)

Answer 8

In June 1950, North Korean troops swept across the 38th parallel into South Korea. This marked the beginning of the Korean War. The South Korean army was quickly overwhelmed. Within days, North Korean forces occupied Seoul (SOLE), the capital of South Korea. President Truman responded forcefully to the attack. He asked the United Nations to send a military force to Korea. The UN Security Council voted to set up a force to be commanded by a general chosen by Truman. The President chose General Douglas MacArthur, who had commanded Allied forces in the Pacific during World War II. Although 16 nations joined the UN action in Korea, about 80 percent of the troops were American.

Question 9

What was the condition of UN forces in the beginning of the Korean War? What did the Soviet Union supply North Koreans with, allowing them to push southward? What was General MacArthur’s counterattack at Inchon? Where did UN forces force the North Koreans back? What had MacArthur’s original orders tell him to do? For what reasons did UN forces cross into North Korea?

Answer 9

At first, UN forces were outnumbered and poorly supplied. Armed with new Soviet tanks, the North Koreans pushed steadily southward. They soon occupied almost all of South Korea. MacArthur then launched a daring counterattack by sea. He landed United Nations forces at Inchon behind North Korean lines. Caught by surprise, the North Koreans were forced back across the 38th parallel. MacArthur’s original orders called for him only to drive the invaders out of South Korea. Truman and his advisers, however, wanted to punish North Korea for its aggression. They also wanted to unite Korea. With these goals in mind, they won UN approval for MacArthur to cross into North Korea.

Question 10

While MacArthur advanced northward into North Korea, what did China warn? What did masses of Chinese troops do as UN forces got closer to Chinese borders? Why did China see the UN forces as a threat?

Answer 10

While MacArthur advanced northward, the Chinese government warned that it would not “sit back with folded hands” if the United States invaded North Korea. As UN forces neared the Chinese border, masses of Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into North Korea. Communist China perceived the approach of Western forces, presumably there to contain communism, as a threat to its own security. The Chinese were determined to fight off that threat.

Question 11

How was the fighting when China joined the Korean War? By March 1951, what had UN troops done? What did the war turn into after this?

Answer 11

Once again, the fighting seesawed. The Chinese overwhelmed the UN forces, pushing them back deep into South Korea. Then, the UN forces regrouped and pushed the Chinese back into North Korea. By March 1951, UN troops had regained control of the south. The war then turned into a bloody deadlock.

Question 12

During the deadlock in the Korean War, what disagreement arose between General MacArthur and President Truman?

Answer 12

During the deadlock, a serious disagreement arose between General MacArthur and President Truman. MacArthur felt that to win the war, UN forces must attack China. Truman feared that an attack on China might lead to a world war. He hoped to limit the war and restore the border between North Korea and South Korea at the 38th parallel.

Question 13

What did a frustrated MacArthur say to the public, concerning his disagreement with the President? What did President Truman do in return? How did this outrage Americans? How did President Truman defend his actions?

Answer 13

A frustrated MacArthur complained publicly that politicians in Washington were holding him back. “We must win,” he insisted. “There is no substitute for victory.” Angry that MacArthur was defying orders, Truman fired the popular general. Truman’s action outraged many Americans. They gave MacArthur a hero’s welcome when he returned home. Truman, however, defended his decision. Under the Constitution, he pointed out, the President is commander in chief, responsible for key decisions about war and peace. MacArthur’s statements, said Truman, undermined attempts to reach a peace settlement.

Question 14

What was the impact of peace talks in mid-1951? How did Dwight Eisenhower win the Election of 1952? In July 1953, what was signed between the opposing sides in the Korean War? What did the armistice state and set up?

Answer 14

Peace talks began in mid-1951. At first there was little progress. Meanwhile, the deadly fighting continued. Republicans nominated Dwight Eisenhower, the popular World War II general, as their presidential candidate in 1952. During the campaign, Eisenhower pledged that if he were elected, he would personally go to Korea. At the same time, he would work to get the stalled peace talks going again. Eisenhower won the election and visited Korea within a few weeks of his victory. By then, both sides were eager for a cease-fire. The only remaining problem was the return of prisoners of war. After long negotiations, the two sides finally agreed to turn this issue over to an international commission. Finally, in July 1953, the two sides signed an armistice to end the fighting. It redrew the border between North Korea and South Korea near the 38th parallel, where it had been before the war. Along the border, it also set up a demilitarized zone (DMZ), an area with no military forces. On either side of the DMZ, however, heavily armed troops dug in. They remain there today.

Question 15

What were the human casualties of the Korean War?

Answer 15

The human costs of the Korean War were staggering. Well over 30,000 Americans lost their lives in the war zone. Nearly 2 million Koreans and Chinese were also killed.

Question 16

What did the Korean War do politically? What did the actions of the United and its allies in the Korean War show?

Answer 16

Politically, the Korean War changed nothing. Korea remained divided. (To this day, relations between North Korea and South Korea remain poor.) On the other hand, UN forces did push back North Korean forces during the war and kept communism out of South Korea. Through this action, the United States and its allies showed that they were ready to fight to prevent Communist expansion.

Question 17

Remember: The Korean War was not the only conflict resulting from the Cold War. Around the globe, rivalries sprang up between groups backed by the Soviet Union and United States respectively.

Answer 17

The Korean War was not the only conflict resulting from the Cold War. Around the globe, rivalries sprang up between groups backed by the Soviet Union and United States respectively.

Question 18

In September 1959, what did Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev do in New York? How did he speak at first? What hope did he express to the UN? How did his manner change?

Answer 18

In September 1959, the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev (KROOSH chawf), arrived in New York to address the United Nations. Khrushchev, who had gained power a few years after Stalin died in 1953, spoke calmly at first. He expressed hopes that the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union would end. Then, gradually his manner changed. Twice, he became so angry that he took off his shoe and pounded it on the table.

Question 19

What did Khrushchev’s visit to the UN symbolize? What did the United States and the Soviet Union compete for?

Answer 19

Khrushchev’s trip to the UN symbolized the fact that the Cold War had become global. Although the Cold War had started in Europe, the United States and the Soviet Union now competed for allies and influence among the members of the United Nations.

Question 20

For many years, how had many African and Asian nations been governed? After World War II, what were many of these nations demanding and what did they win?

Answer 20

For years, many of the nations of Africa and Asia had been governed as colonies of European and other foreign powers. After World War II, many colonial people demanded and won independence. Some achieved independence peacefully. Others had to fight for it.

Question 21

In the nations of Africa and Asia that were colonies, what did Communists do? What did Khrushchev call these struggles? How did the Soviet Union aid rebel forces?

Answer 21

In the colonies, Communists often joined other groups to fight foreign control. Khrushchev called these struggles “wars of national liberation.” Both openly and secretly, the Soviets gave economic and military aid to rebel forces.

Question 22

To prevent the Soviets from expanding their influence, what tactics did the West use?

Answer 22

The West tried to prevent the Soviets from expanding their influence. In their efforts, American leaders faced difficult choices. Should the United States provide aid to a colonial power? Should Americans use secret aid to counter the Soviets? Should they send troops into another nation to influence its internal affairs? In the end, the United States used all these tactics at one time or another to contain communism.

Question 23

In 1946, what did the United States do in the Philippines? How did Filipinos react? What difficulties have occurred since then?

Answer 23

The United States also had to deal with its own colony. In 1946, it withdrew from the Philippines, which it had acquired during the Spanish-American War. Crowds in Manila cheered as the American flag was lowered and the Filipino flag was hoisted high. Since then, the Philippines has struggled to preserve a democratic government. It has suffered from poverty, local uprisings, and dictatorships. Under the rule of Ferdinand Marcos, who was in power from 1965 to 1986, opposition parties were repressed. In the years that followed, the Philippines struggled to find a stable and honest government.

Question 24

During the 1950s and 1960s, how many African nations gained independence? What did the U.S. and USSR seek in these nations? What conflicts did some nations experience after independence? How did the Cold War turn local conflicts to international crises? In the war between Somalia and Ethiopia, who did the U.S. and the USSR support? How did the Cold War intensify the Angolan Civil War?

Answer 24

During the 1950s and 1960s, more than 30 African nations won freedom from European rule. Both the United States and the Soviet Union sought allies among these new nations. After independence, some new nations faced civil wars among rival ethnic or tribal groups. Some fought border wars with their neighbors. The superpowers backed opposing sides in these struggles. As a result, the Cold War turned local conflicts into international crises. In East Africa, the United States and the Soviet Union took sides in a long war between Somalia and Ethiopia. The United States backed Somalia, while the Soviet Union supported Ethiopia. In southern Africa, the Cold War intensified a civil war in Angola.

Question 25

In 1947, what happened in India? Which two nations was the Indian subcontinent divided into? Why did Pakistan become an American ally? Where did India stand in the Cold War?

Answer 25

In 1947, India won independence from Britain. The Indian subcontinent was divided into two nations: India and Pakistan. Both the United States and the Soviet Union tried to win the support of these new nations. Feeling threatened by the Soviet Union to its north, Pakistan became an ally of the United States. India accepted both American and Soviet aid but remained neutral in the Cold War.

Question 26

Remember: French-ruled Indochina included present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In each country, separate nationalist groups fought for independence. The wars lasted for almost 30 years and eventually drew in the United States.

Answer 26

French-ruled Indochina included present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In each country, separate nationalist groups fought for independence. The wars lasted for almost 30 years and eventually drew in the United States.

Question 27

True or False: For many Americans, the Korean War increased worries about Communists at home. Communist sympathizers and spies, they feared, might be secretly working to overthrow the government. These concerns helped spark a hunt for Communists within American society.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

How did the Great Depression influence Communists ideals in the United States? What made American Communists leave the party? Did some remain?

Answer 28

During the Great Depression, some Americans had turned against democracy and free enterprise. They had rejected the efforts of the New Deal as ineffective. To them, communism offered the only solution to the nation’s deep economic troubles. In time, however, many American Communists recognized that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was a brutal dictator, and they left the party. Still, some remained avid Communists.

Question 29

Between 1946 and 1950, several people in the U.S., Canada, and Britain were arrested as what? In the United States, why were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg sentenced to death? In which year were they executed? How did the Rosenberg Case increase American fears?

Answer 29

Between 1946 and 1950, several people in the United States, Canada, and Britain were arrested as Soviet spies. In the United States, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were sentenced to death for passing atomic secrets to the Soviets. Despite protests, both were executed in 1953. The Rosenberg case made many Americans wonder if other Soviet spies were living among them as ordinary citizens.

Question 30

Why did Americans worry about Communists in high government positions? In 1950, why was Alger Hiss imprisoned? Despite denial, what did later evidence suggest?

Answer 30

Americans also worried that there were Communists in high government positions. In 1950, Alger Hiss, a State Department official, was imprisoned for perjury, or lying under oath. Hiss had denied that he was part of a Soviet spy ring. Later evidence would suggest that Hiss and several other high government officials were passing secrets to the Soviet Union. It would also make it clear that Julius Rosenberg had indeed passed atomic secrets to the Soviets.

Question 31

In 1947, why did President Truman order investigations of government workers? What were the results?

Answer 31

In 1947, President Truman ordered investigations of government workers to determine if they were loyal to the United States. Thousands of government employees were questioned. Some people were forced to resign. Many of those had done nothing disloyal to the United States.

Question 32

In 1950, who was Senator Joseph McCarthy? What claims did he make? What was known as McCarthyism? What claim made McCarthy lose much support? Why did the government issue an official censure on McCarthy?

Answer 32

In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin made a shocking announcement. He claimed to have a list of 205 State Department employees who were Communist party members. McCarthy was never able to prove his claims. Yet, McCarthy’s dramatic charges won him national attention. During the next four years, McCarthy’s campaign spread suspicion across the nation. Businesses and colleges questioned employees. Many people were fired. The term McCarthyism came to be known as the use of reckless charges of disloyalty. In 1954, the Senate held televised hearings to investigate a new McCarthy charge. He insisted that there were Communists in the United States Army. This time, McCarthy had gone too far. On national television, he came across as a bully, not a hero. His popularity plunged. In December 1954, the Senate passed a resolution to censure, or officially condemn, McCarthy for “conduct unbecoming a member.” As a result, McCarthy lost much of his support. By the time he died three years later, the Communist scare was mostly over.