The Korean War Flashcards
What happened at Potsdam?
The Korean Peninsula was taken from Japanese control and divided into two zones of occupation at the 38th parallel. The South was capitalist and Syngman Rhee was leader. The North was communist and Kim Il Sung was leader.
How did Kim Il Sung get Stalin to support an attack on the South?
Said that the USA would not have time to intervene, there was a well organised communist guerrilla force operating in the South and lots of communist supporters, and so it would be a rapid and decisive victory. He was asking both Stalin and Mao for support.
Why did Stalin decide to support Kim Il Sung?
In 1949, he denied the request for support, but in 1950 he changed his mind because China was now communist, USSR had Nuclear technology, if he stalled on his support then Sung might turn to China and undermine him and if Korea was communist it would strengthen Soviet borders and put pressure on Japan and provide economic opportunities for the USSR. Also, Americans had not included South Korea in Defensive Perimeter Strategy.
What was Stalin’s attitude to the Korean War regarding the Cold War?
He made it clear that he would not commit Soviet forces if North Korea faced conflict with USA. He accepted that indirect military support from the USA was possible, but was not prepared to engage in direct military confrontation with USA, particularly because of USA’s nuclear weaponry and USSR’s inferiority.
What was China’s attitude to Korean War?
Mao Zedong tried to stay out of the War, not wanting to anger the US and he was focused on the future of Taiwan. He intervened in November due to pressure from Stalin and needing to be seen supporting communism. He also was alarmed by the US troops so close to Chinese border.
What was the USA’s attitude to Korea?
The US was much more concerned with events in Japan than Korea, but became worried about what the invasion represented- the US was concerned that Southeast Asia and Japan would become unsettled by communist victory. So, Truman got the UN to intervene (which endorsed US policy, offered international credibility to the USA’s intent to intervene). McCarthur was intent on the ‘roll back’ policy and wanted to commit the USA to a struggle for reunification of Korea. Truman feared extension of War and bringing USSR into it.
What was the impact of the Korean War?
Security of North and South was protected (no further warfare could take place- terms of peace), there was an uneasy stability, it was an economic strain on the USSR and led to a rapid industrialisation of EE and caused a backlash against communism, led to deepening Cold War uncertainty in Europe and the US became more committed to ensuring communism spreading in Far East did not happen.
