(Conflict and tension in Asia) Conflict in Korea: Causes of Korean War

Nationalism in Korea

P. Nationalism in Korea created a problem because, while both leaders wanted to see Korea reunified, they each believed the country should follow a different set of ideologies.

E. The leaders of both North and South Korea were both strong nationalists and committed to the reunification of Korea after WW2. This led to the invasion of South Korea by North Korea on June 25th in 1950, when they could not come to an agreement.

E.

US Relations with China

P. China fell to communism in 1949 - despite the USA spending $2 billion on aid to china’s nationalists

E. This was part of the Truman Doctrine - and it failed. No US President wants to lose another country to the domino effect. Basically America was scared that the successful takeover in China would spur other communist takeovers

E. Furthermore, US Spies suggested China was supporting communists in other countries. Scraed as they were sommited to containing communism

Furthermore Chinese troops involved themselves in 1950

Division of Korea

P. Korea was split at the 38th parallel in the August of 1945 - this was meant to be a temporary divide while the north was freed from Japan by the USSR and the south was freed by the USA.

E. USSR supported the north, USA supported South (instated their own leaders).

E. Long term effect - still divided to this day Short Term - increased tensions in cold war and led to escalation of conflict to the Korean war in 1950, JuNE 25

Reasons North Korea invaded the south

PE. Invaded on June 25 1950. Wanted to unite Korea under communist rule. Confident - backed by Stalin + Mao Zedong. Thought US would not get involved USSR successfully made the Atomic Bomb. Stronger than south - USSR supported with artillery

E. Long term - Resulted in a 3 year long war involving major superpowers and the UN

UN responses

P. On 25th June, the UN called the invasion a 'breach of the peace' and called for North Korea to withdraw its troops. On 27th June, USA recommended that member nations of the UN should supply troops to stop the invasion. On the third, on 7th July, it was recommended the UN troops come under the command of the USA.

E. UN was able to do this bc no USSR to veto as they were boycotting

E. Long term effect - SK had support, could fight back led to eventual stalemate