The Korean War Flashcards
Spread of Communism in Asia
By end of the 1940’s communism seemed to have been successfully contained in Europe. In Asia however, things were beginning to change
America had long seen China as their mainstay in the Far East and had pumped $2 billion of aid into the country between 1946- 1949
Since the 1920’s China had been embroiled in a civil war between communists led by Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT)
Despite US support for the KMT they grew out of touch with the people and were eventually defeated.
On 1st October 1949 Mao Zedong announced establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Kai-Shek fled to Formosa (Taiwan)
Reactions to China becoming communist. Reactions and intentions of Russia
Positive Reaction
Agreed to the treaty of Friendship in 1950
Thinking of spreading communism throughout Asia
Wanted to support China’s economy
Other countries can see the benefits of communism
Reactions to China becoming communist Reaction and fears of the USA.
Believed it was part of Stalin’s plan to spread communism globally
Could loose economic trade
Made US intervention in Asia more likely as Truman had been badly criticised for losing China
What is the Domino Theory
The Domino theory is the idea that if one country became Communism the neighbouring countries would also fall to communism this was known as the Domino Theory
What was Korea @ the end of WW2 like
Korea liberated at end of WW2 by soviet troops in north and US troops in the south/
Country was partitioned along 38th parallel until elections could be held
However two superpowers couldn’t agree on the type of government Korea should have
The invasion of south korea
Kim il Sung acted first to reunify country
with approval of Mao and Stalin NK invaded SK on 25th June 1950
Within days capital in south, Seoul had been captured
Reasons for US involvement in South Korea
USA believed Stalin had encouraged Kim il Sung’s invasion of SK
Worried that if Korea Fell to communism one country after another in Asia would fall to communism (Domino Theory)
US changed policy of containing communism to roll back communism which is removing communism from NK
Role of the UN in the invasion of SK
UN accepted the USA’s version that USSR involved in Invasion
UN first condemned Kim’s invasion and then put together a military force to intervene
USSR was on the UN Security council but was unable to stop military force as boycotting UN. Protesting at US refusal to recognise China’s communist Government under Mao
How did the UN force succeed in the Korea in 1950
By October UN troops crossed 38th parallel and pushed NK forces back to the Yalu River the border with China
This meant UN Force was now exceeding its UN orders
Now MacArthur’s intention to reunite the country
Role of Truman in the course of the war
He decided on a policy of containment.
Didn’t agree in escalation in conflict for fear of direct Soviet involvement
Sacked MacArthur in April 1951 after general had openly criticised his policies
Role of the USSR in the course of the war
Didn’t enter war directly
Secretly helped NK and China by providing advisers
Sent 63 fighter planes disguised with Chinese markings and flown by Soviet pilots in Chinese uniforms
Role of MacArthur in the course of the war
Leader of UN forces
pleaded with Truman to sanction an attack that would stop inevitable spread of communism
He urged the use of the atomic bomb on China
Role of China in the course of the war
In November, 1950, 250,000 volunteers assembled at the Chinese Korean border they invaded and pushed the UN forces back over 38th parallel
The End of the Korean War
Peace talks going on since June 1951 but unable to find solution acceptable to both sides. while talks went on conflict primarily fought using aerial combat as both sides became bogged down at the 38th parallel
President Eisenhower threatened China with use of Nuclear weapons
Stalin died in 1953 and truman leaves office, Khrushchev and Eisenhower helped facilitate cease fire, which agreed at Panmunjom in July 1953
border was agreed slightly north of 38th parallel and DMZ set up
Korean war impact on relations. Positive result for US foreign policy
Containment worked - communism hadn’t spread into SK but rollback failed as NK remained communist
US signed peace treaty with Japan and invested money in the Japanese economy.
US signed agreements with Philippines, Australia and New Zealand
NATO changed from mainly a political alliance, to a full-blown military alliance.
