The Korean War (1950-53)

Question 1

What was the line separating North and South Korea called?

Answer 1

38th parallel

Question 2

Who was the leader of North Korea?

Answer 2

Kim Il-Sung

Question 3

Who was the leader of South Korea?

Answer 3

Syngman Rhee

Question 4

What was the domino effect?

Answer 4

The US belief that if one country turned communist, neighbouring countries would as well

Question 5

What was the South’s economy built on?

Answer 5

Agriculture

Question 6

What was the North’s economy built on?

Answer 6

Industry

Question 7

Who owned Korea before 1945?

Answer 7

Japan

Question 8

Why did the US and the USSR (+ China, N.K) fall out between 1945-50?

Answer 8

• Future of Germany after ww2
• Truman Doctrine
• USSR takeover of eastern Europe
• Nuclear weapons
• NATO vs Warsaw Pact
• Spies/propaganda

Question 9

What happened in June 1950?

Answer 9

North Korean troops invaded the South across the 38th parallel

Question 10

How did the Korean War develop into an international crisis?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Why did North and South Korea fall out from 1948-50?

Answer 11

Both leaders believed they should rule all of Korea, frequent violent skirmishes took place between both sides (guerrilla warfare_

Question 12

Why did North Korea decide to invade in June 1950?

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

Why did the US join the Korean War?

Answer 13

Wanted to stop the spread of communism (domino effect).

Question 14

How did the UN allow the US to join the Korean War (start campaign in S.K)?

Answer 14

The USSR boycotted the council, meaning they were unable to use their veto

Question 15

What/when was the Battle of Inchon?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Why did China join the Korean War?

Answer 16

The UN forces invaded too close to the border (Yalu river)

Question 17

What was the home by Christmas campaign?

Answer 17

The UN’s final push to the Yalu river in order to capture all of North Korea, ending the war

Question 18

Why was General MacArthur sacked in 1951?

Answer 18

MacArthur wanted to continue to fight communism + use nuclear weapons on China

Truman wanted to negotiate a ceasefire instead

Question 19

What was the public opinion of MacArthur?

Answer 19

He fought in WW2 and was considered a national hero, most were shocked when he was sacked

Question 20

What did the newly appointed General Ridgeway do?

Answer 20

He replaced MacArthur
Focused on defending the south rather than attacking the north

Question 21

Why did the UN invade North Korea?

Answer 21

Wanted to stop domino effect / followed Truman Doctrine

Question 22

Why did the UN campaign in North Korea fail?

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Why did Truman and MacArthur fall out?

Answer 23

Truman wanted a ceasefire, MacArthur wanted to keep fighting communism

MacArthur also wanted to use nuclear weapons on China, Truman disagreed