The Korean War

Question 1

When was the Korean War?

Answer 1

1950-1953

Question 2

How did the Korean War start?

Answer 2

1950: North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel with the aim of imposing Communist control across the peninsula

Question 3

What were China concerned with Pre-Korean War?

Answer 3

• Internal reunification (Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan)
• Wanted to reduce military expenditure
• Still trying to recover economically after Civil War (1946-49)

Question 4

Why did Stalin want to involve China in the Korean War?

Answer 4

• Great gain for USSR with no military commitment, only political backing
• Would distract China from challenging USSR’s role as leader of international communism
• Prevent China from causing trouble over disputed territories in China (Manchuria)
• Great PR coup for international communism

Question 5

How did Stalin involve Mao in the Korean War?

Answer 5

Wrote a letter in 1950, urging them to enter the war and strongly insinuating the USSR would follow
- manipulated China to get involved at a point when the Chinese were just trying to forge the PRC

Question 6

Why did Mao agree to be involved in the Korean War?

Answer 6

Had a certain reliance on the USSR
- was having issues with reunification
- was running low on certain assets
Geographical location
- N.Korea and China share a border, so if the US won, China could be at risk of an invasion

Question 7

Who was Zhou Enlai and what was his role?

Answer 7

China’s Foreign Minister
- declared ‘North Korea’s defense is our defense’
- triggered demonstrations in China to follow

Question 8

Why did China decide they were fully engaged in the Korean War?

Answer 8

October 1950: US forces crossed the 38th parallel

Question 9

How did the Korean War end?

Answer 9

1953: ended in a truce, largely due to US threatening nuclear might
(The Panmunjong Truce)

Question 10

What were the negative consequences of the Korean War for China?

Answer 10

• Lost 1 million (25%) of their soldiers in a war they had been forced to enter
• US stood behind Taiwan until 1971 so it couldn’t be taken back by China
• Large economical cost
  
  • Industrial resources diverted to help war effort
  • 1950 Treaty: $300 million loan to USSR
• Locked China into further reliance on USSR for resources
  
  • further exploitation

Question 11

What were the positive consequences of the Korean War for China?

Answer 11

• Mao had stood up to US on the international stage and wasn’t defeated
  
  • US was biggest superpower at the time
• China had fought for international communism, enhancing its standing
• USSR links were strengthened (close ally)
• Fostered ‘national pride’ in China
  
  • important following the Civil War
  • meant Mao could justify political and social repression as needed to create ‘unity’ in China

Question 12

What were the effects on policy from the Korean War for China?

Answer 12

• Threat of nuclear might from US influenced Mao’s thinking on military power and spending on nuclear weaponry
• Difficult relations with USSR and US support for GMD drove Mao’s desire for China to stand alone in the world