The Korean War part 1 Flashcards
How did the establishment of South Korea occur?
US encouraged UN-supervised elections in the south in 1948 -> the elections made pro-american anti-communist Syngman Rhee the leader of the newly established Republic of Korea (ROK)
How was North Korea set up?
September 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (the DPRK or North Korea) was established under Kim Il Sung. Many believe that if free national elections had been held in Korea, Kim would have won.
Who wanted reunification?
both Rhee and Kim desired reunification (each on their own terms) → Korean War likely.
When did North Korea attack the south?
1950
Was this the first clash between the two?
Beforehand however there were already frequent border clashes, mostly initiated by South Korea. Began in 1948 and peaked in 49.
Outline the first reason why the US intervened?
Truman’s doctrine: depicting communism as a terrible evil in his speech in 1947 → Communism, aka domino theory, aka containment, etc.
1950: summer looked like the world balance of power was shifting in favour of communism. China, Vietnam, etc.
Outline the second reason why the US intervened?
he was vulnerable to republican accusations that by ceasing aid to Mao’s rival Chiang Kai-shek, he was responsible for the loss of china.
McCarthy’s 1950 accusation that there were communists in the State Department→ Truman needed to be seen as though of communism → political motivations to enter Korea.
How did Japan motivate the US to intervene in korea?
US occupation under General Douglas MacArthur revitalised Japan after WW2 → began developing into US’s ally. → scared that since Japan was only 100 miles from South Korea it would be threatened by North Korea and communism.
How did the failure of the league of nations motivate the US to intervene in korea?
Truman believed that the failure of the League of Nations had played a role in the outbreak of the WW2 → showed that collective security must be supported and appeasement avoided. (Policy of conciliating a potential aggressor by making concessions)
when the north attacked South Korea→ Truman believed that the UN was being tested and that if he failed to support it and appeased aggressors the result might be another war.
What is the traditional interpretation of why the US got involved?
still popular, ex. Historian Micheal Hopkins, 2006, the US was motivated by anti- communism and containment.
How did the UN react to the invasion?
The UN Security Council passed a resolution that declared that the UN opposes North Korean aggression.
How did Truman react?
What was MacArthur’s feedback on Truman’s reaction?
Truman sent US air and naval forces to help South Korea. He did not ask congress to declare war, as he was supposed to do under US constitution → Congress was very supportive saying that this was not a war but “a police action under the United Nations.”
US commander in the Pacific: General Douglas MacArthur warned that without American troops the communist would take over → Truman sent in ground troops and ordered the US 7th fleet to the Taiwan Straits.
What did the UN ask Truman to do?
The UN asked Truman to appoint a commander for the United Nations Command (UNC, Truman appointed MacArthur). UN sought direct access to him but Truman insisted that he communicate only with Washington.
What was the JCS prediction for the USSR and china?
The JCS chairman doubted that the USSR and China would get involved but warned that if they did there could be a third war.
Why was MacArthur likely to be problematic?
Why was MacArthur chosen then?
JCS chairman considered MacArthur to be arrogant and in a diary entry Truman described Arthur as a “Mr. Prima Donna, Brass Hat” → there were major tensions between Truman and MacArthur.
He was the obvious choice as UNC commander, given that he was already commander of US forces in the Pacific and an expert on East Asia.
