Unit 5- How far was the United States able to limit communist expansion Flashcards
What was the biggest threat after WW2?
Communism
Why was US scared? [3]
- went against US’s beliefs
- Communism started threatening US interests
- Asia started losing countries to communism
From when to when was Korea controlled by Japan?
1910-1945
Where was Korea divided
38th parallel
Republic of Korea (information) [2]
- President: Syngman Rhee
- Capital: Seoul
Democratic People’s republic of Korea (information) [2]
- President: Kim Il-Sung
- Capital at Pyongyang
Why did N. Korea invade S. Korea? (June 1950)
-Kim Il-sung wanted to unite it under communism
Why did Kim Il-Sung believe his invasion would work in 1950? [6]
- He had support from USSR and China
- his army was stronger than S. Korea’s
–> supported by USSR - Didn’t think USA would respond
–> USSR’s atomic bomb
–> Korea didn’t seem like their biggest priority
How did UN become involved in the War between the Koreas?
-UN very closely associated with the anti-communist gov of South Korea
UN action for the war between Koreas [7]
- Security council met same day of attack
- Resolution passed without presence of USSR (could’ve been vetoed)
- Second resolution passed (when N. Korea didn’t back down)
- Third resolution passed ten days later
- Troops from 15 countries assisted S. Korea
Why was US so determined to stop communist expansion? (Korean war) [3]
- world communism seen as a force from Moscow
- N. Korean attack seen as one from USSR
- If S. Korea went down, many others went down to communism
How was the UN action in the Korean War very American? [4]
- commanded by US generals
- Half the ground forces were American
- More than 90% air forces were American
- 85% Naval forces were American
What were the 6 phases of the Korean war? [6]
- Success for North Korea
- Success for the UN
- UN attempt to reunite Korea
- Chinese attack
- UN counter attack
- Stalemate, armistice
Phase 1 details- Success for North Korea [3]
- N. Korean troops overrun S. Korea
- Seoul captured
- troops confined around Pusan
Phase 2 details- Success for the UN [3]
- US + UN marines counter attack
- Seoul relieved
- North Korean troops sent behind 38th parallel
Phase 3 details- UN attempt to reunite Korea [4]
- UN force press across 38th parallel
- wanted United democratic gov for Korea
- N. Korean border captures
- US reached Chinese border
Phase 4 details- the Chinese attack [4]
- Chinese forces launch counter attack
- UN driven down
- Seoul captured again
- UN stabilized along 37th parallel
Phase 5 details- The UN counter attack [4]
- Forced China + N. Korean behind 38th parallel
- Seoul liberated
- Use of Nuclear weapon argued
–> Truman denied
Phase 6 details- Stalemate + Armistice [3]
- Negotiations lasted 2 years
- Fighting continued
- many fought over ridges, costed lives
What were the positive results of the Korean War for the UN? [2]
- UN actions showed it was stronger than LON
- Military sanctions supported by major powers
What were the negative results of the Korean War for the UN? [6]
- failed to unify Korea
- Misjudgments were made
- 4 million Koreans dead
- UN action only successful because USSR didn’t veto
- Military sanctions only possible because troops were still in Japan
- “US used UN as a tool against communism”
When did Cuba gain independence from Spain?
1898
Why was US allowed to intervene with Cuban affairs?
New constitution allowed it
How did the US influence Cuba? [7]
- forced Cuba to sell raw materials for low prices
- served as an economic purpose
- made sure Cuba bought American goods
- heavy influence on imports from the US to Cuba
- US invested heavily in Cuban economy
- US controlled railway, telephone system, tobacco and arable land
- US took Guantanamo Bay (US navy Base)