The Cold War Turns Hot—The Battle for Asia: China, NSC 68, Korea Flashcards
Korean War, Revolutionary China, and Containment in Asia
Cold War Expansion to Asia:
Postwar tensions led to the Korean War in 1950, originating from North Korea’s invasion of U.S.-backed South Korea.
Background of Korean War:
Civil war in China led to Mao Zedong’s rise, triggering the U.S. halt in aid to Jiang Jieshi.
Truman delayed PRC recognition, supporting Jiang, while Chinese leaders sought Moscow’s partnership.
Korean War Dynamics:
Conflict began post-World War II when the thirty-eighth parallel was drawn.
U.S. applied containment to the Korean peninsula, altering the Cold War’s course.
Global Impact and Military Buildup:
Truman raised defense expenditures significantly.
Military aid surpassed economic aid in Europe; plans for defense alliances in the Middle East and Asia.
Increased aid to French forces in Indochina; naval power deployed in the Taiwan Strait.
Controversies and Questions:
Debates on the war’s origins: international aspects vs. a legacy of colonial rule.
Controversies on Chinese entry and U.S. decision-making; Truman’s portrayal faced waning support.
Persistent debate over warmaking powers, echoing in the Vietnam War.
Limited War and Casualties:
Korean War was limited but had a staggering casualty rate.
Estimated 3 million Koreans, 900,000 Chinese, and 35,000 Americans perished.
Cease-fire in July 1953 reestablished the status quo, leaving Korea divided.
Tension persisted post-Cold War, with the U.S.-North Korean standoff over nuclear programs.
NSC 68
NSC 68, a pivotal document in U.S. historical diplomacy, emerged in the early years of the Cold War, reflecting a significant shift in American foreign policy. Presented to President Harry S. Truman in 1950 by the National Security Council, NSC 68 assessed the global threat posed by the Soviet Union. It depicted the Soviets as aggressively expansionist and called for a robust response to counter communist influence. The document recommended a substantial increase in military spending, the development of nuclear weapons, and the formation of regional defense alliances. NSC 68 played a crucial role in shaping U.S. policy during the Cold War, contributing to the adoption of a more assertive containment strategy and setting the stage for increased military commitments, marking a turning point in American diplomacy toward a more confrontational approach against the perceived Soviet threat.
