The Widening of the Cold War, 1949–1955: The Korean War - Causes, Position and Aims of Kim ll Sung and Syngman Rhee

Question 1

How was Korea split at the end of WWII?

Answer 1

• At Potsdam in August 1945
• Korea taken from Japanese control and divided into two zones of occupation
• Occupied by USA (south) and USSR (north)
• Separated at 38th parallel

Question 2

When were two separate Korean states established?

Answer 2

• August 1948
• USA created the Republic of Korea
• September 1948
• USSR created the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Question 3

Who were put in place to lead North and South Korea?

Answer 3

• USA and USSR picked leaders they thought they could control
• Republic of Korea
• Syngman Rhee
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• Kim Il Sung
• Chairman of provisional communist gov. - Korean Provisional People’s Committee

Question 4

How did the USA and USSR arrange their provisional governments in Korea?

Answer 4

• Installed leaders they thought they could control
• USSR avoided coalitions with non-communist groups
• USA picked anti-communist representatives from political right and centre

Question 5

What were Sung and Rhee’s ultimate aim?

Answer 5

• To restore Korea’s sovereignty under one leader

Question 6

What was Rhee’s position with regard to uniting Korea?

Answer 6

• Wanted a united Korea without communism
• Nationalist
• Pro-US
• Wanted to remove communism from North and strengthen Korea to resist threats from USSR
• Favoured defending a border with Manchuria rather than defending one at 38th parallel
• In late 1949, Rhee was confident that a major assault against the North could be successfully mounted
• A reunited Korea would be easier to defend from USSR

Question 7

What did Rhee want from the USA?

Answer 7

• Wanted USA to protect South Korea from an attack from North
• Provide military aid to South Korean Army

Question 8

What was Sung’s position with regard to uniting Korea?

Answer 8

• Also wanted to use force to reunite Korea

- Used guerilla action to destablise South

Question 9

What was to happen after 4 years of Soviet and US occupation?

Answer 9

Elections to unify as per the trusteeship
However the Soviets pulled out of this, as Rhee was against the trusteeship and accords stated if you opposed it you could not run, yet USA allowed him- convenient excuse to pull out?

Question 10

How did Sung try convincing USSR and China to support the North?

Answer 10

• Invasion would be a rapid and decisive victory
• There was a hard core of 200,000 communist supporters already in the South
• There was a well-organised communist guerrilla force operating in
  the South
• The USA would not have time to intervene

Question 11

When did Soviets reject NK’s request for support from SK assault

Answer 11

March 1949

Question 12

Why did Soviets reject NK’s request for support from SK assault

Answer 12

Stalin knows 7500 US troops in South

Question 13

Why do the Soviets change their mind and offer support

Answer 13

China becomes communist in 1949
Korea not included in defence perimeter, Jan 1950
USSR don’t want to be undermined by China if Sung asks China for support instead
USSR have nuclear tech by 1950

Question 14

How do the Soviets support Sung

Answer 14

1600 pieces of artillery
178 military aircraft
no troops

Question 15

Why did Mao initially not intervene and why did he change his mind?

Answer 15

He initially was focused on securing domestic control and Taiwan
Pressure from Stalin in Nov 1950 got him to intervene