Post-Cold War

Question 1

Communist Revolution in China

Answer 1

Before WWII the Chinese were in the middle of a civil war between the communist and democratic forces.
It was put off in WWII to defend against Japan
- Nationalist (Democratic) forces were led by Jiang Jieshi/Chang Kai Shek
- Communist forces were led by Mao Zedong
USA supported Nationalists
Soviet Union supported communists
Communist forces were better trained and had the support of the peasant population
Communist forces won! (1949)
- Nationalists forces were forced to flee China - They settled on the island of Formosa (Taiwan)
Communist China took Tibet by force in 1950
- Dalai Lama - the spiritual and political leader was forced into exile

Question 2

Great Leap Forward - China

Answer 2

1950s - Attempt to modernize China
Mao seized all the land from landlords and started - State Controlled Collective Farms called Communes (supported 25000 people)
Most peasants were taken and forced to work in factory production.
Failed - Not enough farmers to produce food
Famines killed over 30 million people

Question 4

What happened to Korea after WWII?

Answer 4

After WWII it was divided North and South
USA occupied the south and introduced democracy
The Soviet Union occupied the north and forced communism on the people
Divided along the 38th parallel - DMZ

Question 5

Korean War

Answer 5

1950 US pulled troops out of South Korea
North Koreans invaded South Korea - Capture most of the South
South Korea asked the United Nations for help!
The UN forces (15 nations) led by US Gen. Douglas McArthur sent out to stop the invasion - drive north out of south - invade north!
In 1951 the Chinese joined the North Koreans forces
Greatly outnumbered McArthur asked President Harry Truman to authorize the use of an atomic weapon!
Truman said no!!!
War ended in a draw in 1953
4 million dead! Korea still Divided

Question 6

Vietnam: (Southeast Asia) - Pre Vietnam War

Answer 6

During imperialism France controlled all of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia)
In the 1930s - led by Ho Chi Minh the communists revolted against the French (French Indochina war)
The revolt was crushed and he had to flee into exile
in 1941 Japan seized and took over Vietnam
During the war Ho Chi Minh fought to drive out the Japanese
After the war, he formed the Vietminh Independence League
To get independence from French
During the war for independence the Vietminh used Guerilla warfare tactics (hit and run) against the French
The USA supported France (democracy) while the Soviet Union supported the communists
Communists won the war in 1954 France left
USA was greatly concerned (Pres. Dwight Eisenhower)
Domino Theory - They feared the rest of Southeast Asia would fall like dominos to the communists
The USA convinced the UN to divide Vietnam into two parts (17 degrees north latitude) (north and south) have free elections
South Vietnam: With the help of the USA - set up a democratic government led by Ngo Dinh Diem
Problem - He ruled as a brutal dictator - People hated him
Vietcong (communist guerillas) led opposition to Diem - backed by the peasants they attempted to take over South Vietnam
President Kennedy sends in military advisors to help the south
1964 - Gulf of Tonkin incident
Congress Authorizes President Lyndon Johnson to send troops
Vietname War Begins