nominated topic, sources paper Flashcards
origins of the korean war
korea had been rules by Japan until 1945.
at the end of WW2 the northern half of Korea was liberated by the soviets, the southern half was liberated by the Americans
The north: remained communist-controlled, with a communist leader
The south: was anti-communist, was not very democratic but anti-communist enough to win the support of the USA
there was a bitter hostility between Kim il Sung, north communist leader and Syngman Rhee, south president.
In 1950 this hostility turned into open warfare, north overwhelmed south’s forces and by september 1950 all but Pusan in South korea was under communist control
The US response to the korean war
Truman was strongly anti-communist. Containment was the aim. Truman’s attitude was that the USA would do anything to stop the spread of communism.
He immediately sent advisers, supplies, and warships to aid South Korea. However he was aware that he needed the support of the UN or better yet the UN intervening instead of America to win over the rest of the world
the United Nation Resolution 84
Truman put enormous pressure on the UN security council to condemn the actions of the North Koreans and force them to withdraw their troops.
The USA was the single biggest contributor to the UN budget and therefore had a powerful influence over the decisions. However, the USA would have probably failed if it had not been for the USSR boycotting the UN at the time over another issue. This meant that the USSR was not their to veto the call for action.
18 states provided troops or support of some kind to drive the North Korean troops out. The largest part of the UN force was American, led by the commander: General MacArthur
september 1950, korean war, the UN forces advance
United Nations forces stormed ashore at Inchon in september 1950. At the same time, other UN forces and south korean troops advances from Pusan. The north koreans were driven back beyond their original border within weeks.
october 1950, korean war, the UN force presses on
After successfully removing north korean troops from south korea, MacArthur did not stop there. Despite warnings from China’s leader that if they continued the chinese would join the war, they pressed on.
By october, the US forces had reached the Yalu River and it became clear that MacArthur and Truman were after a bigger prize. They saw an opportunity to remove communism from korea entirely.
november 1950, korean war, the UN force retreats
in late october 1950 200,000 chinese troops joined the north koreans. the soldiers were strongly committed to communism and had been taught to hate the Americans. They had modern tanks and planes supplied by the USSR, the UN forces were pushed back into South Korea.
april 1951, korean war, MacArthur is sacked
Truman and MacArthur fell out, he was ready to invade China and even use nuclear weapons. Truman felt that saving south korea was enough.
However, in march 1951 MacArthur ignored the UN instruction and openly threatened an attack on China.
In April, MacArthur was sacked
june 1951, korean war, peace talks begin
fighting reached stalemate around the 38th parallel in the middle of 1951. Peace talks between north and south korea began in june 1951 although fighting continued for two more years
june 1953, korean war, armistice
in 1952 Truman was replaced by President Eisenhower who wanted to end the war.
stalin died in march 1953 which made the chinese and north koreans less confident.
armistice was signed in july 1953
consequences of the korean war
- high casualties for USA
- north korea remained communist
- highlighted tensions between American leaders
however, south korea remained out of communist hands
methods of containment
- building alliances with anticommunist countries: USA created SEATO and CENTO. gave money, arms, and advice to these allies
- developing more powerful nuclear weapons: arms race between USA and USSR
