The Korean War

Question 1

War of attrition

Answer 1

A war / military strategy where sheer numbers becomes of significance in determining outcomes; situation where each side tries to wear down the other till the side with the larger numbers win.

Question 2

Democracy

Answer 2

A system of governance which is built on the fundamental belief of power to the people; typically achieved through elected representatives. Critical attributes include the right to vote (i.e. elections), advocating for individual liberties, establishing of a system of capitalism and private ownership.

Question 3

Proxy war

Answer 3

War instigated by one or more major powers without their own direct participation

Question 4

Bi-Polarity

Answer 4

A situation where two nations / powers in the world possess the greatest economic, cultural and military influence; often describing a context of division of power and influence.

Question 5

Civil War

Answer 5

War between domestic or internal political factions or regions within the same country, typically in order to gain political control

Question 6

Brinkmanship

Answer 6

Practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the limits of acceptability, in order to force a desired outcome that is advatangeous to oneself

Question 7

Containment

Answer 7

American policy adopted to prevent the spread of communism beyond the USSR. Approach taken in limited Soviet expansion, for e.g. in the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a concept, it is generally a policy of “limiting expansion” and not confrontation.

Question 8

Capitalism

Answer 8

An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Question 9

Power vacuum

Answer 9

A condition that exists when one (or one party) has lost control of something, usually abruptly, and no one has replaced them. Can refer to individuals of leadership / authority (e.g. presidents, prime ministers) or even a authoritative force (e.g. colonial governments leaving)

Question 10

Marxism

Answer 10

A social, political and economic ideology named after Karl Marx, later acting as a base for communism (including Stalinism & Maoism, which are different interpretations of Marxism). It posits the endless struggle between different classes through revolution, in pursuit of a classless society. In the modern context, it is concerned with the proleteriat struggle against the bourgeoisie, an outcome of our capitalist society.

Question 11

Detente

Answer 11

It refers to the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries. In the Cold War context, it is often associated with President Nixon and his relaxing / warming of ties with the USSR and China in the late 1960s/70s.

Question 12

Douglas MacArthur

Answer 12

American Military Leader who led the American army in WWI and WWII. The war veteran led the UN command in the Korean War, but relieved from command on 11 April 1951 by President Truman on charges of insubordination and for having extreme and “dangerous” views in how to manage affairs in the Far East (including China).

Question 13

Inchon landing (15 Sep 1950)

Answer 13

Landing of US/UN troops through sea at Incheon to push back communist forces, key invasion to allow the US to secure a foothold and repel communist forces back across the 38th parallel after having been pushed to the Pusan perimeter previously.

Question 14

Yalu River

Answer 14

The body of water separating North Korea and China. UN/US advancement towards this area threatened military security of the Chinese, resulting in 500 000 Chinese troops being sent across the river, attacking the UN forces and pushed them back all the way to the 38th parallel.

Question 15

Korean Armistice Agreement

Answer 15

This armistice signed on July 27, 1953, formally put a temporary halt to the war in Korea, separating them at the 38th parallel up till today.

Question 16

Pusan perimeter

Answer 16

South Korean forces were pushed back / cornerd to the Pusan perimeter by the Korean People’s Army in its first advance across the 38th parallel in 1950.

Question 17

The 38th Parallel

Answer 17

The latitude line running across Korea at the midpoint of the peninsula that formed the border separating North and South Korea, since the armistice in 1953.

Question 18

Demilitarised Zone

Answer 18

An area, usually a boundary between two or more military powers, where military activity is not permitted. A demilitarised zone was established at the 38th parallel on the Korean Peninsula to put a stop to the Korean War.

Question 19

Atomic parity

Answer 19

It refers to the state of being equal in terms of atomic capabilities e.g. nuclear capabilities. Generally a term used to describe the motivation for an “arms race” in the 1970s/80s where the USSR played catch up.

Question 20

Atomic diplomacy

Answer 20

This refers to attempts to use the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals. Used by the US before the USSR successfully exploded its first atomic bomb in August 1949.

Question 21

Buffer zone

Answer 21

A neutral area that separates two hostile forces that are fighting. Beyond military aggression buffer regions also slow down or act as a barrier against the ideological spread and cultural influences. North Korea was a buffer zone for China against the Americans (and democratic ideologies) in South Korea.

Question 22

Boycott

Answer 22

To withdraw/abstain from something in a form of protest

Question 23

Arms race

Answer 23

Countries rushing to increase military power to gain superiority (over another party)

Question 24

Potsdam conference

Answer 24

Potsdam Conference was held in Potsdam from July 17 to August 2 1945 to decide how to administer Germany, which had agreed to an unconditional surrender nine weeks earlier. In the case of the Korean War, it divided Korea along the 38th parallel with the North under Soviet influence and the South under the USA.

Question 25

Reunification

Answer 25

After WWII, both the leaders of North and South (Kim Il Sung & Syngman Rhee) wanted to re-unify Korea through use of violence. Each sought for support from the USSR and US respectively.

Question 26

Change in Stalin’s attitude towards Korea

Answer 26

The lack of US support during the Chinese Civil War resulting in the CCP victory led stalin to think that the US would similarly not intervene in the event of a Soviet-supported invasion into the south, emboldening him to send more military support into the DPRK and agreeing with plans by the North to invade in Jun 1950.

Question 27

Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance (Feb 1950)

Answer 27

The treaty of alliance concluded between the People’s Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concretised Chinese support for affairs in the Korean peninsula, in an event the North was to be threatened/overwhelmed by the South. This was particularly advantageous to Stalin as it meant USSR could avoid direct intervention in Korea, while keep its communist influence there.

Question 28

Dean Acheson

Answer 28

Undersecretary of State on US military defence strategy in Asia-Pacific. Said that “the defensive perimeter runs from the Ryukyus (Japan) to the Philippine islands”, subtly hinting (at least perceived) that Korea was no longer part of the US defence perimeter.

Question 29

Zhou En Lai

Answer 29

Premier and Foreign Minister of the PRC during the Korean War. One of the key CCP leaders that made clear China’s stance on UN/US intervention in Korea. He had on several occasions warned of Chinese response, should the US/UN cross the 38th parallel. In Oct 1950, he warned the Douglas MacArthur more than once that if UN troops approached the Yalu River, the Chinese would enter the war. MacArthur ignored Enlai’s warnings, leading to PLA “volunteers” crossing the Yalu river.

Question 30

PLA “volunteers”

Answer 30

Mao zedong offered to send chinese “volunteers” across the 38th parallel to support the north koreans in the korean war. This hinted to stalin and kim that the chinese were on their side and showed chinese resolve against the crisis, strengthening the ties between China and the USSR and Korea

Question 31

Kim Il Sung

Answer 31

Leader of North Korea (DPRK), was trained in the USSR and used propaganda and cult of personality to gain control

Question 32

Syngman Rhee

Answer 32

First President of South Korea (1948 to 1960) who adopted a pro-American stance, not surprising given his education at Princeton University. He was a hardline anti-communist who was authoritarian and ruthless to his enemies. While a friendly face to the US, US was also reluctant to accede to his request for armament for fears of his impulsive invasion of the North in a bid for reunification.

Question 33

Joseph Stalin

Answer 33

Leader of the USSR and gave his seal of approval for North Korea’s attack on South Korea in June 1950. He sent Soviet advisers and military equipment to help North Korea forces develop a substantial force prior to the attacks. Stalin passed away on 3 March 1953.

Question 34

Mao Zedong

Answer 34

Leader of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who backed North Korea in the Korean war and dispatched the Chinese People’s Volunteers to Korea to fight against the United Nations Command, after it crossed the 38th parallel and did not heed Zhou Enlai’s warnings of staying clear from the Yalu river.

Question 35

President Dwight Eisenhower

Answer 35

Elected as President of the USA on 20 Jan 1953. Often remembered as the President that “resolved” the Korean War. In July 1953, Eisenhower faciltiated an armistice between the North and South, separating Korea into two at the 38th parallel.

Question 36

President Harry Truman

Answer 36

President of the USA from 1945 to 1953 who advocated for containment, mostly prominently through his Truman Doctrine. In the Korean War, he advocated for US/UN intervention to aid the South Koreans and was reponsible for a large part off US/UN actions in the Korean War. He fired Douglas Macarthur for insubordination.

Question 37

General Matthew Ridgway

Answer 37

Replaced Douglas Macarthur in April 1951 after he was fired by Truman for overstepping his authority (insubordination) and defied Truman’s direct order.