The Korean War (6) Flashcards
Background of Korea?
Divided at 38th parallel at Potsdam, USA zone in south, USSR zone at north. August 1948, USA makes the Capitalist Republic of Korea and in September 1948, USSR makes the Democratic People Republic of Korea.
The North and South Leaders and their influence in the start of the war.
Kim Il Sung made Soviet puppet leader of Korean Provisional Peoples Committee (NKPPC)
Syngman Rhee made USA puppet leader of South
Rhee was a devot anti-communist and wanted a united Korea which could resist any form of communism and the USSR.
Kim Il Sung took a similar position and wanted to create a unified Korea under communism and began guerrilla action in the South. Kim Il Sung also focused on gaining support from Stalin and China. He knew that the war would be swift and in the North’s favour. He also knew that there were 200,000 communists already in the South and the guerrilla force was operating in the South. He also thought there would not be enough time for the US to intervene.
USSR’s influence in the war?
After turning Kim Il Sung’s plea down in 1949, Stalin changed his stance in February 1950 after Mao Zedong had setup the People’s Republic of China and the USA had not included Korea in its Defensive Perimeter. Stalin therefore supplied North Korea with 1600 pieces of artillery, 178 military aircraft and 258 T-34 tanks.
Stalin’s motives for this were that
- A united communist Korea would be a valuable ally
- Kim Il Sung may have turned to Mao and shut the USSR out of the area
- The USSR had nuclear technology since 1949
China’s influence in the war?
Mao only became interested in the war when Truman ordered US 7th Fleet to defend Taiwan by positioning itself between China and Taiwan. Mao faced much internal opposition as the new country had many issues but had to be seen to help out fellow communist countries internationally. He therefore only sent ‘volunteer forces’.
The USA’s influence in the start of the war?
Acheson claimed that a loss of Korea would mean the de-stabilisation of the Far East, including Japan, the US’s main priority in The relief army that was created consisted of 50% US land force, 93% US Airforce and 86% US navy.
The UN’s influence in the war?
The USA called a special meeting of the Security Council at the outbreak of the war and the USA won its appeal to bring a cease-fire to the conflict. The USSR could not intervene as they were boycotting the Security Council after the UN voted to recognise the Nationalist Government at Taiwan as the legitimate leader of China. The USA could therefore legitimately intervene without being seen as to be using containment on a global level.
The events of the Korean War?
June-September 1950
- North Korea advances in the South and created a perimeter around the Pusan Pocket
- Chinese troops massed in readiness at Manchuria
- UN commits to aid
September-November 1950
- MacArthurs amphibious landing at Inchon and North Koreans pushed back past the 38th parallel
- MacArthur leads a ‘roll back’ against Truman’s orders all the way to the Yalu River in North Korea
-China sends across 300,000 troops
December 1950-June 1951
- By January 1951, Chinese pushed the UN back across the 38th parallel
- UN condemns the Chinese as aggressors
- In April Truman dismisses MacArthur for wanting to use nuclear weapons on the Chinese
June 1951- July 1953
- stalemate at 38th parallel
- USA consolidated its position in Japan and did feel insecure
- USSR no longer wanting to commit after death of Stalin in March 1953
The Settlement of the Korean War
- Negotiations had begun in July 1951
- July 1953, Armistice agreed in Panmunjom
- Rhee had been obstructing negotiations, trying to get the - - US to support a full unification of the country
- A demilitarisation line of 2km was made across the 38th parallel
Impact of the Korean War?
- Long term security of the North, South and Taiwan was ensured
- Placed a huge economic burden on the USSR which made Stalin increase industrialisation in Eastern Europe which led to increased anti-communist feelings in these states and their respective uprisings
- NSC-68 and containment was globalised through the UN
- It only restored the status quo and for that reason was a ‘limited’ war
