The Korean War (1950-53) Flashcards
What was the line separating North and South Korea called?
38th parallel
Who was the leader of North Korea?
Kim Il-Sung
Who was the leader of South Korea?
Syngman Rhee
What was the domino effect?
The US belief that if one country turned communist, neighbouring countries would as well
What was the South’s economy built on?
Agriculture
What was the North’s economy built on?
Industry
Who owned Korea before 1945?
Japan
Why did the US and the USSR (+ China, N.K) fall out between 1945-50?
6 reasons
- Future of Germany after ww2
- Truman Doctrine
- USSR takeover of eastern Europe
- Nuclear weapons
- NATO vs Warsaw Pact
- Spies/propaganda
What happened in June 1950?
North Korean troops invaded the South across the 38th parallel
How did the Korean War develop into an international crisis?
- The US troops pushed the N.K troops up to the Yalu river
- China recently became communist and (encouraged by Stalin) agreed to help Kim Il-Sung
- The Chinese supplied troops/weapons to N.K
- The Korean war changed from a war between north and south Korea to a proxy war fought as part of the Cold War
Why did North and South Korea fall out from 1948-50?
Both leaders believed they should rule all of Korea, frequent violent skirmishes took place between both sides (guerrilla warfare_
Why did North Korea decide to invade in June 1950?
- Kim Il-Sung realised guerrilla warfare wouldn’t be enough to destabilise S.K’s government
- They had a stronger, experienced military and weapons from USSR/China
- Stalin supported the invasion, believed US wouldn’t intervene
Why did the US join the Korean War?
Wanted to stop the spread of communism (domino effect).
How did the UN allow the US to join the Korean War (start campaign in S.K)?
The USSR boycotted the council, meaning they were unable to use their veto
What/when was the Battle of Inchon?
- Organised by General MacArthur in Sept 1950
- Troops from unit specialising in storming beaches during ww2
- Inchon was heavily fortified + on the coast, surprised N.K who hadn’t defended it
- UN vastly outnumbered N.K
- Allowed for capture of Seoul and threatened N.K supplies
Why did China join the Korean War?
The UN forces invaded too close to the border (Yalu river)
What was the home by Christmas campaign?
The UN’s final push to the Yalu river in order to capture all of North Korea, ending the war
Why was General MacArthur sacked in 1951?
MacArthur wanted to continue to fight communism + use nuclear weapons on China
Truman wanted to negotiate a ceasefire instead
What was the public opinion of MacArthur?
He fought in WW2 and was considered a national hero, most were shocked when he was sacked
What did the newly appointed General Ridgeway do?
He replaced MacArthur
Focused on defending the south rather than attacking the north
Why did the UN invade North Korea?
Wanted to stop domino effect / followed Truman Doctrine
Why did the UN campaign in North Korea fail?
- At first UN troops met with little resistance
- This encouraged them to move further north
- MacArthur started the Home by Christmas campaign to invade all of N.K up to the Yalu river + end the war
- However, this triggered China to join the conflict on N.K’s side
- UN troops pushed back to 38th parallel
Why did Truman and MacArthur fall out?
Truman wanted a ceasefire, MacArthur wanted to keep fighting communism
MacArthur also wanted to use nuclear weapons on China, Truman disagreed
