The Korean war Flashcards
What are some reasons why North Korea nearly won the war at the start ? ( phase 1 )
They were unable to tell who was who - led to discrimination / division within ranks
North Koreans were a tough enemy . Battle hardened troops from fighting in the Chinese Civil war
The south Korean army was unprepared for war - smaller and less equipped - less trained than the North Koreans
What are some reasons why the North Koreans retreated at the start of the war ?
Their rapid advance lost them 58K troops - Supply lines were stretched - They had lost a lot of tanks + arms
The Inchon landings took the North Koreans by surprise - US advanced to Seoul - Those in the Pusan P began to advance north too
The north could not use their flanking tactics as the US was in the Pusan P - US had less land but more people to defend it
What are some opinions suggesting that the Korean war WAS a UN war ?
Many countries in the UN contributed resources + men to aid Korea
15 nations contributed fighting forces
The UN approved for the involvement
What are some opinions suggesting that the Korean was WAS NOT a UN war ?
The US + Korea provided 90% of all fighting forces
Many disagreed with the US intentions ( A Bomb etc. )
The US did what it wanted to do - Truman used the Un to legitimise SK elections
Why did the US / ROK invade North Korea ?
Momentum from the Inchon landings gave them confidence
US sought for revenge due to the atrocities committed by the NK
Rhee + MacArthur wanted to reunify Korea - MacArthur was glorified
Truman wanted to retain anti communist credentials ( McCarthyism )
War represented US determination to stop communism
What are some reasons why China joined the Korean war ?
Mao wanted to return the favor of NK support during the civil war
China warned that they would intervene is the US went over the 38th
7th fleet in Taiwan threatened China - potential US invasion ?
Symbolising the reestablishment of Chinese authority
What was the impact of China’s entry of the war ?
US/UN/ROK retreat - China outnumbered them and targeted the weaker ROK army - opening up their lines - cold temp froze oil + arms - Unprepared for the cold too
Frozen Chosin - Americans outnumbered by the Chinese - many died of frostbite , illness . US napalm helped out but also hit a number of their own people
Western Divisions - Trumans poll ratings fell - MacArthur was publicly critical of Trumans policies - Truman declared a state of national emergency - Fears of the use of A bomb too
What are some Military reasons for why MacArthur was sacked ?.
Was a beaten general / left many to die in Pyongyang
Chinese offensive shocked MacArthur
He was over confident that the Chinese would never intervene
Blamed many for the failure ( Complained about SK inexperience-wanted to use nukes )
Why did MacArthur’s personality get him sacked ?
Did not like to follow orders
He gave unauthorised statements on the defence of Taiwan
Publicly said that a limited war was not good
He was a Go -Getter and wanted to reunify Korea ( unrealistic )
Many acts of insubordination
Why did the current political situation get MacArthur sacked ?
He slated China which sabotaged Trumans plans
Made letters which openly disagreed with the Truman Doctrine
It took ages to sack him as he was a popular guy - decisions influence by the people
US public opinion influenced the war ( crossing the 38th ETC )
Why did Trumans personal dislike to MacArthur lead to his sacking ?
Disagreed on many major things :
The strategic importance of Asia and Europe
Use of nuclear weapons in Korea
Weather or not to provoke China
” Does he think he is God ? “
Why did the Korean war become a stalemate ?
April 1951 - Chinas offensive failed to break the US/UN/ROK army at the Imjin river
Advantages of airpower + heavy weapons hardened the US lines
Both adopted Blitzkrieg tactics - however resulted in trench warfare
How did the US public opinion influence the entering of the Korean war ?
At the start - approval ratings were high due to :
Concern that Truman had not done enough to prevent the CCP rise
No strong belief that the USSR + CCP would send forces
The idea that Victory was inevitable
How did US public opinion influence the crossing of the 38th parallel ?
Success of the Inchon landings gave people excitement + motivation
Strengthened the idea that further actions were needed to reunify Korea
BY 1951 - most of the US wanted to withdraw from Korea
BY 1951 - 49% thought that intervening was wrong
How did US public opinion influence the seeking of peace negotiations ?
Many wanted the US to withdraw and make peace as many American boys had been slaughtered in their offensive over the 38th parallel
