The Widening of the Cold War, 1949–1955: The Korean War - Attitudes and Actions of the UN, USA, USSR and China Flashcards
What were the USSR’s attitudes towards Korean War in 1949?
• March 1949 - Kim Il Sung turns to Stalin for support
• Stalin rejected Sung’s pleas
- Stalin aware 7500 US still in South Korea
• Reiterated his support
- Suggested to strengthen guerilla forces in South to undermine Rhee’s gov.
How did Stalin’s position change by Feb 1950?
• Stalin agreed to provide North Korea military aid
- 1600 pieces of artillery - large-calibre guns used in warfare on land
- 178 military aircraft
- 258 T-34 tanks
- Not prepared to provide Soviet troops
What factors influenced Stalin’s limits and changes in position by 1950?
- USA didn’t include South Korea in Defensive Perimeter Strategy
- US & War in Korea
- War could bring USA in
- US-Soviet conflict could spread into Europe
- Global conflict
• United communist Korean state
- Ally
- Strengthen Soviet borders
- Pressure Japan
- Economic opportunities
• Stalling
- Sung could turn to China for support
- Undermine Soviet influence in Korea and Asia
• USSR had nuclear technology by 1950
Why was Stalin unwilling to send Soviet troops to Korea?
• April 1950 - Stalin says to Sung he will not commit Soviet forces if North Korea faced conflict with USA
- Indirect military support is best option for USSR
- Stalin not prepared to have direct military confrontation with USA
- Partly due to US’ superiority in nuclear technology
What were China’s attitudes toward the Korean War in 1949?
• The Korean War was of little importance to Mao
- China did not intervene or offer support when North Korea invaded the South
What were Mao’s main priorities in 1949?
- To consolidate communist control in China
- To consolidate Chinese territory by regaining Taiwan from the nationalists
Why did Mao initially not offer support to North Korea?
- Mao was not eager for China to be a prominent force in the global struggle between communism and capitalist Western imperialism
- Mao was focused on China’s more immediate geostrategic priorities - Taiwan
- Mao was determined to avoid any action that could provoke the USA
What changed Mao’s mind about supporting North Korea?
• In June 1950, Truman ordered the US 7th Fleet to defend Taiwan by positioning itself between China and Taiwan
- Following NK invasion of SK
• China had to be seen supporting the communist world against capitalist imperialism
- Pressure from Stalin
- Protect China’s reputation in communist world
• By late September 1950, UN forces were near the Yalu River
When did China start supporting North Korea?
- From 18 October 1950, Mao sent Chinese forces from the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) to North Korea
What were the US’ attitudes towards the struggle between North and South Korea prior to the Korean War?
• Struggle between North and South Korea was of secondary importance
- Greatest threat was USSR, not North Korea
- Focus was on Europe, not Asia
• Until 1949, the USA’s national security priority in Asia was Japan
- USA needed to strenghten its national security by protecting Japan and reviving its economy
What changed the US’ view towards the importance of North and South Korea?
• On 25 June 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea
- Invasion fundamentally re-orientated US policy towards Korea
How did the US Secretary of State react to the invasion of South Korea?
• Dean G Acheson, US Secretary of State - May 1951
- Believed North Korea’s purpose was to destabilise Japan, Southeast Asia and the Philippines, and to influence the position in Europe
- Believed these areas in the Far East would become unsettled if North Korean invasion is successful
- Stability established in Europe may become weakened through a communist victory
How did Truman react to the invasion of South Korea?
• Speech delivered to Congress, 27 June 1950
- ‘Communism has now passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations, and will now use armed invasion and war.’
- ‘It has defied the orders of the Security Council of the United Nations issued to preserve international peace and security.’
What action did the US take upon the invasion of South Korea?
- USA requested a special session of the Security Council (part of UN)
- Council agreed to send UN forces to fight North Korea
- Truman ordered US 7th Fleet to protect Taiwan (Formosa) from attack
Why did the USSR not veto the Security Council decision?
- After Chinese Civil War, Jiang Jieshi still held the Chinese seat in the Security Council
- In protest, the USSR boycotted the Security Council
