The Korean war Flashcards
1
Q
American policy, why does America intervene in Korea?
A
- Role of ‘world policeman’ to protect vulnerable nations against communism
- Pursuing the policy if containment
- Pressure from right-wing voices in USA gov (McCarthyists)
- Soviet Union tested A bomb, 1949
- China ‘fell’ to communism, 1949
- The invasion of South Korea, 1950
- NSC-68 (growth of monolithic communism + economic and military aid to countries under threat from communism)
2
Q
Foundations of the Korean war
A
- Truman’s hard-line, anti-communist stance
- Policy of containment based on the long telegram
- Belief in the domino theory
3
Q
Short term causes
A
- Berlin blockade, 1949
- Soviet Union tested A bomb, 1949
- China became communist, 1949
- NSC-68, 1950
4
Q
Trigger
A
- North Korea’s invasion of South Korea
5
Q
Result: Increased US involvement in South East Asia
A
- Not only did the US create and strengthen military alliances and build up its conventional and nuclear forces but it extended its financial help to the French ($1bn in Indo-China)
- Us policy towards Taiwan altered dramatically. It was now seen as a bulwark against communism
- Military aid provided to Chiang Kai Shek to defend Taiwan against any future Chinese agression
6
Q
Consequences for the USSR
A
- helped to prevent the fall of Communist North Korea
- Failed to achieve a reunited communist Korea
- Limited involvement compared to great Chinese involvement tarnished reputation as leader of the com world
- Directly accelerated the rearmament or West Germany and admission to NATO in 1954 (no neutral and united Germany like Austria)
- Warsaw pact, 1955
- Economic pressure which led Stalin to accelerate the industrialisation of E.E
7
Q
Consequences for China
A
- Improved its status as shown military potential
- Emerged as a third superpower
- Gained in standing as the leader pf the Com movement
8
Q
Consequences for UN
A
- Demonstrated its ability to exert its authority against acts of aggression
- Labelled as a tool of US policy
9
Q
Role of the USA (outbreak of the war)
A
- reunification under Rhee
- Initially excluded South Korea from its defensive perimeter
- Believed the invasion was orchestrated by Moscow
- Pressured by the ‘loss of china’ and communist hysteria at home
- within 2 days of the invasion sent air and naval power and requested assistance from the UN (instrument of foreign policy)
10
Q
Role of the USSR (outbreak of the war)
A
- Wanted reunification under Kim
- Boycotted the UN-supervised elections in South Korea in 1948
- Shared a boarder with Korea giving rise to security concerns
- Wanted access to raw materials and hydroelectricity
- Gave cautious approval to Kim’s plans for attack but no firm commitments due to fear of US intervention
- Later sent military advisors and equiptment
11
Q
Role of China (outbreak of the war)
A
- Knew of Kim’s plans but adverse to joining another war
- Prioritised consolidating rule in China and the threat posed by Chaing Kai-Shek in Taiwan (invade)
- Concerned about the relations between Kim and the USSR
- Later sent troops and supplies as the war approached their boarder
12
Q
Role of the UN (outbreak of the war)
A
- Supervised elections in South Korea in 1948 but not in the North
- Ratified US actions and US support for the South
- Asked the North to remove its troops and voted to send troops to the South. USSR could have been there but absent due to protest against China becoming part of UN
- Agreed for 16 countries to send troops to defend South Korea including Britain, Canada and USA (led by General MacArthur)
13
Q
Role of Kim Il Sung (outbreak of the war)
A
- Determined to invade the South and convinced Stalin of a swift victory owing to Rhee’s unpopularity
- Made several proposals to Stalin for an attack on the South from 1949
14
Q
Syngman Rhee (outbreak of the war)
A
- Involved in skirmishes with the northern troops from early 1949 along the 38th parallel
- Boasted about using force to unite Korea
