[7] Korean War

Explain why the USA became involved in Korea

First "Red Scare" – The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to a civil war between the communist Red Army and the anti-communist White Army, with some countries, including America, sending troops to support the White Army.

Second "Red Scare" – In October 1949, Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China, marking the country’s shift to communism.

What was McCarthyism?

In February 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of over 200 communist spies in the US State Department. He intimidated the accused by attacking their character and questioning their loyalty, often with little or no evidence.

When did the Korean War start and who invaded who?

25th June 1950 - North Korea invaded South Korea

Who fought for the South Koreans?

September 1950 - UN army mostly made up of American troops led by General Douglas MacArthur arrived in Korea to push back against the Korean invasion

Events of the Korean War

October 1950 - UN forces advanced into North Korean territory

25th October 1950 - China entered the war with the North Koreans and pushed the UN forces back below the 38th parallel

November 1950 - The UN force retreats back to South Korea because of freezing conditions and Chinese blistering attacks from 200,000 soliders

April 1951 - General MacArthur Dismissed

June 1951 - Peace talks begin

June 1953 - Armistice

Leader of South Korea at the time of the Korean War

Syngman Rhee

What was the UN’s involvement/opinions as the Korean War started

The UN authorized a unified response for American troops and UN force. 20 nations were involved in the conflict

Background - Who directed the FBI

Directed by an anti communist J Edgar Hoover was a driving force of the Red Scare.

Background - What was the HUAC

In the 1930’s the US congress had the HUAC who had the right to investigate anyone who was suspected doing anything communist

Background - What was the Federal Employee Loyalty Program?

Set up in 1947 by Hoover, this allowed Hoover’s FBI loyalty boards to investigate government employees to see if they were current of former members of the Communist Party

Background - How many people were effected by the Federal Employee Loyalty Program?

From 1947-1950 around 3 million were investigated, no one was charged with spying by 121 staff who were said to be communist sympathizers were forced out of their jobs

Background - Who was effected by the HUAC?

In 1947, the FBI had evidence that Hollywood writers were communist party members. The HUAC called them in, but they invoked the Fifth Amendment and were jailed for one year for refusing to testify.

What was the McCarran Act?

All communist organizations had to be registered with the US government and no communist could carry a US passport or work in the defense industries

Why was there friction in Korea after WW2?

Both sides wanted to reunite Korea with different Ideologies

What was the US reaction to communist invasion?

Immediately send advisers troops, resources and warships around Korea and put pressure on the UN to support the US

Why had the USSR walked out of the UN in 1949? What effect did this have on the system by which the US was run?

When China became communist in 1949, the USA blocked its entry into the United Nations, recognizing the nationalists as the rightful government. In response, the USSR walked out of the UN in protest over China’s exclusion.

Why did the USA have so much influence in the UN

The USA was the biggest contributor to the UN budget

What did the UN decide to do in the Korean War

Involve themselves in the war by driving North Korean troops out of South Korea and providing troops for the war

When did UN forces land where and when and how far had they got by October 1950?

UN forces landed at Inchon in September 1950 and got to Yalu River

How did the nature of the war change when the UN got involved?

US wanted to get rid of Communism fully and go beyond the 30th parrallel

What was the effect of 200,000 Chinese People’s volunteers on the War?

Shifted Korean War momentum to North

Why did Truman and Mac Arthur fall out?

Mac Arthur wanted to use nuclear weapons to wipe out North Koreans and then start fighting the Chinese

What were the Consequences of the Korean War?

USA created SEATO and CENTO alliances with anti communist countries and in response the Soviet Union set up the Warsaw Pact in 1955 which included USSR allies in Eastern European countries except Yugoslavia

Arms Race