All-Cold-War-Notes (1).docx

Western Powers and Asia before 1950

Describes the relationship between Western powers and Asia before 1950, including colonization and the impact of World War II.

Yalta Conference Decisions

Outlines the agreements made at the Yalta Conference in 1945, such as trusteeships for former European colonies and the division of Germany.

Potsdam Conference Decisions

Summarizes the outcomes of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, including discussions on Korea, China, and the rejection of Soviet initiatives.

Cold War Beginnings

Explains the origins of the Cold War, including ideological differences, the Long Telegram by George Kennan, the Truman Doctrine, and the Mr X Article.

Containment Policy

Refers to the strategy of containment adopted by the US to counter Soviet expansionism, including the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid, and the formation of NATO.

Defensive Perimeter Strategy

Details the US strategy to establish military bases along the perimeter to deter Soviet aggression in Asia, aiming to uphold democracy and prevent Communist threats.

Model States in Asia

Discusses the efforts to create "Model States" in Asia post-WWII, focusing on Japan and the Philippines, promoting democracy, capitalism, and anti-Communist values.

Impact of American Rule in Japan

Describes the effects of American rule in Japan post-WWII, including political, military, and economic reforms, and the shift towards economic reconstruction after 1947.

US-Japan Relationship Post-1950

Highlights the turning point in the Japan-US relationship in 1950, influenced by the Korean War, the Red Purge, the US-Japanese Security Treaty, and the ongoing use of military bases in Okinawa.

MacArthur's Influence on Japan:

praised by the japanese

repressed communists, defended the japanese

Emperor Hirohito's Role:

allowed as a constitutional monarch

SCAP's Impact on Japan:

tried to break up zaibatsus

Japanese Acceptance of Occupation:

in comparison to their treatment of others this was tame, they accepted most ideas with little issue

Shigeru's Role in Japan's Alliance:

a pro american japanese president

Marshall's Contribution to Japan:

was responsible for the shift in policy

allowed japan to have economic freedom

US Achievements in the Philippines:

bell trade act

placed military bases in the phillipines

Huk Rebellion in the Philippines:

1949-51 a rebellion that was soon crushed

localised around the huk area

communist based

British Policies in Malaya:

Winning hearts and minds

Strategic villages

Malayan Communist Party (MCP)

Initially collaborated with the British in 1945, shifted to armed struggle in 1948 due to British actions and CCP's influence.

United Front Policy

MCP's strategy to work non-violently for independence while inciting working class discontent in Malaya.

Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA)

Armed wing of the MCP that targeted economic assets and aimed to disrupt the Malayan economy.

State of Emergency

Declared in response to MRLA activities, making MCP membership illegal and allowing for strong government actions.

Sir Gerald Templer

Led a successful counterinsurgency campaign in Malaya from 1952, contributing to the defeat of the Communists by 1955.

People's Republic of China

Established by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949, leading to Jiang Jieshi's retreat to Taiwan and the end of the Chinese Civil War.

Truman Doctrine

Policy of the Truman administration to contain the spread of communism, prioritizing the containment of the USSR in Europe between 1945 and 1949.

NSC 68

A policy document from April 1950 that emphasized the need for a substantial increase in US military strength to counter the Soviet threat, marking a departure from existing policy.

Korean War

Conflict that erupted in 1950 following North Korea's invasion of South Korea, leading to US and UN involvement to repel the aggression and uphold containment.

Sino-Soviet Treaty 1950

A treaty signed in 1950 between China and the Soviet Union, indicating a significant alliance in the context of the Cold War.

Mao Zedong's Leadership

Mao's effective leadership, vision to transform China into a superpower, and appeal of communism to the Chinese people were crucial factors in the Communist victory in China in 1949.

Jiang Jieshi

Also known as Chiang Kai-shek, many American observers considered him a hopeless case, contributing to the US's lack of commitment to protecting his government in China.

Colonial-Nationalist Conflict

Truman Administration's belief that Southeast Asia was the target of a coordinated offensive directed by the Kremlin, leading to US involvement in the region.

House Un-American Activities Committee

Investigative committee in the US House of Representatives that played a role in the "Red Scare" and the Rosenbergs' case.

Memory of Republican Attacks

Republican criticism of Truman for losing China and subsequent Democrat Presidents' escalation in foreign involvement, such as the Vietnam War.

Principle of Deterring Aggression

Concept underlying US and UN involvement in the Korean War, aiming to repel aggression and uphold containment against communist expansion.

United Nations Resolution

A resolution passed within a month of the Korean War to clarify reasons for UN involvement, stating the armed attack on South Korea by North Korea breached peace.

Syngman Rhee's Regime

Despite not being a model of freedom and democracy, the US government overlooked this due to Rhee's anti-communist stance.

Korea Military Advisory Group (KAMG)

US had 500 advisers in South Korea when North Korea attacked, joining South Korean forces in retreat.

NSC-68

A document from April 1950 recommending a stronger approach towards the Soviet Union to contain communism, supported by Truman.

Collective Security

An international system where countries collectively protect any victim of aggression, with the United Nations taking up this role post-1945.

MacArthur's Dismissal

Truman's caution led to General MacArthur's dismissal in April 1951 due to divergence in approach during the Korean War.

Air Power in Korean War

US Air Force played a crucial role in over a million operations, with estimates suggesting over half of enemy casualties were due to air strikes.

SEATO

Formed in 1954, the South East Asian Treaty Organisation aimed to extend defense coordination against communism in the Far East, similar to NATO in Europe.

Truman's War

The Korean War was dubbed "Truman's War" by critics, leading to a decline in the President's popularity.

NSC-68

The recommendations of NSC-68 were implemented, leading to a significant increase in defense spending.

Military-Industrial Complex

The Korean War strengthened the military-industrial complex, influencing political decision-making and economic dislocation.

Soviet Support for Kim

Stalin's approval for the invasion of South Korea was crucial for Kim, aiming to strengthen the Communist bloc and deter Western aggression.

Inchon Landing

General MacArthur's successful assault on Inchon in September 1950 revolutionized the military situation during the Korean War.

Crossing the 38th Parallel

The US, UN, and ROK forces crossed the 38th Parallel into North Korea on September 30, 1950, aiming to reunify the Korean peninsula.

Chinese Intervention

China intervened in the Korean War due to the changing war aims of the US, the threat to national security, and Stalin's encouragement for Mao to act.

Relationship with North Korea

Mao believed China had an obligation to aid North Korea due to historical sacrifices made by Koreans in Chinese revolutions and wars.

Chinese Intervention

Mao decided to send 12 infantry divisions to support North Korea, despite initial reluctance from the Chinese Politburo.

Impact of China's Entry

Chinese troops surprised US/ROK forces, leading to a significant shift in the Korean War dynamics.

MacArthur's Response

MacArthur's decisions, including bombing Yalu bridges and a failed offensive, influenced the course of the Korean War.

US/UN/ROK Retreat

Chinese strengths, like marching overnight and familiarity with mountain trails, exploited weaknesses in US/UN/ROK forces.

Chosin Battle

A fierce battle where 25,000 Americans faced 120,000 Chinese, highlighting the challenges and casualties faced by US troops.

Truman vs

Truman and MacArthur clashed over strategic objectives, use of nuclear weapons, and the approach towards Communist China.

US Public Opinion

Chinese intervention in the Korean War shifted American public opinion, impacting decisions and strategies in the conflict.

Military Failures

MacArthur's overconfidence, mismanagement, and clashes with other military leaders led to significant setbacks in the Korean War.

Disagreements with Truman

MacArthur's desire to escalate the conflict and his strategic objectives conflicted with Truman's approach and goals.

Insubordination

Acting against orders or authority, as demonstrated by MacArthur's unauthorized actions and statements during the Korean War.

Limited War

Truman's commitment to a restrained conflict, rejecting MacArthur's desire for a full-scale war with China to contain Communism.

Presidential Control

Asserting the constitutional principle of the president's control over the military, exemplified by Truman's dismissal of MacArthur.

Stalemate Reasons

Factors contributing to the stalemate in the Korean War, such as terrain, military capabilities, and political decisions.

Peace Negotiations

Challenges and reasons for the slow progress in achieving peace during the Korean War, including distrust, military strategies, and political considerations.

Impact on Participants

Consequences of the Korean War on North Korea, South Korea, the UN, USSR, US domestic policies, and US foreign policy.

Military Industrial Complex

The influence and concerns related to the growing power of the military-industrial complex in shaping US policies post-Korean War.

Truman's Popularity

Truman's declining popularity due to the Korean War, increased defence spending, and concerns over future conflicts to combat Communism.

Non-alignment

Policy adopted by some 3rd World leaders aiming at maintaining good relationships with both East and West during the Cold War.

Bandung Conference

International meeting in 1955 in Indonesia where newly independent countries promoted principles of sovereignty, independence, and non-aggression.

Viet Minh

Revolutionary League for the Independence of Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh, aimed at independence from foreign domination and social reform.

Guerilla Warfare

Military tactic heavily utilized by the Viet Minh in the fight against the French in Indochina, focusing on hit-and-run tactics.

Domino Theory

Concept coined by President Eisenhower, suggesting that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall like a row of dominoes.

Geneva Accords

Agreement in 1954 that temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, leading to the withdrawal of French forces and setting the stage for future conflicts.

SEATO

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, formed in response to the perceived failure of the Geneva Accords, aimed at protecting South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos from communist threats.

Eisenhower's Support for Ngo Dinh Diem

Eisenhower increased aid to Diem's regime, providing direct military aid, training for ARVN, and sending advisers to consolidate power.

Repressive Dictatorship

Diem's regime was marked by nepotism, local dictators, and repressive actions like arresting and executing Southern Communists and activists.

Lack of Reform

Diem's limited land reform favored rich Catholic supporters, alienating the peasantry and leading to discontent.

Outbreak of Communist Guerilla Activity in South Vietnam in 1957

Communist guerilla activity intensified in South Vietnam, challenging Diem's rule and leading to a People's War declaration by North Vietnamese.

Kennedy's Options in Vietnam

Kennedy considered options like exiting Vietnam, pursuing peace talks, or military solutions like increasing military advisers and aid, including spraying defoliants and putting US ground troops in.

Battle of Ap Bac

A failed military operation in January 1963 demonstrated the weakness of Diem's forces and the challenges faced by the US military under Kennedy's administration.

Strategic Hamlets

Diem's strategic hamlet program aimed to isolate peasants from the Viet Cong but faced issues like discontent, mismanagement, and exploitation by Nhu, leading to its failure.

Critiques of Eisenhower's Policy

Eisenhower's support for a corrupt government in Vietnam, contrary to the Geneva Accords, and prioritizing Vietnam excessively were criticized, though he avoided atomic war.

Vision and Planning in Vietnam

The State Department report in Jan 1963 highlighted the lack of vision and planning in the US approach towards Vietnam.

Ambassador Lodge's Role

Ambassador Lodge was advised to be tough, act as a catalyst, and not refer questions to Washington by Secretary Rusk, emphasizing the need for strong ambassadors.

Diem's Removal

The Kennedy administration, including Bobby Kennedy, agreed that Diem needed to be removed unless he initiated dramatic change in Vietnam.

Buddhist Crisis

The tensions between Catholics and Buddhists in Vietnam escalated in 1963, leading to protests, self-immolation by a Buddhist priest, and criticism of Diem's regime.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964 involved the USS Maddox, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and escalated US involvement in Vietnam.

US Tactics in Vietnam

The US employed tactics like surgical bombing, napalm, and defoliation (Agent Orange) in Vietnam, aiming to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail and combat the Viet Cong.

Search and Destroy Strategy

General Westmoreland's strategy involved seeking out and destroying NVA and VC forces in South Vietnam, leading to controversial operations like Zippo Raids and Operation Cedar Falls.

Problems Within US Army

The US Army faced issues like low morale, fragging of officers, racial problems, and drug abuse among soldiers during the Vietnam War.

R&R

American soldiers sent for Rest and Recreation in Saigon and Japan, provided with luxuries like basketball courts, swimming pools, and ice-cream plants.

Viet Cong Tactics

Based on Mao's strategies, involved small groups called cells working together with minimal knowledge of each other, focusing on gaining peasant support.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Vital for Communist war effort, not a single route but a network with repair workshops, hospitals, and rest camps, employed thousands for maintenance.

Morale and Resilience

Communist fighters displayed complete determination, continuous struggle, and willingness to lose many men for freedom, leading to eventual victory.

Tet Offensive

1968 attack during Lunar New Year, included Battle of Khe Sanh and attack on US Embassy in Saigon, shifted American public opinion and led to peace talks.

Opposition to the War

Came from various groups like pacifists, socialists, Black Americans, and veterans, intensified over time due to draft issues, race disparities, and media coverage.

Nixon's Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy to shift the burden of fighting to South Vietnamese forces, aimed at achieving peace with honor through tactics like madman bombing and diplomacy.

Khrushchev's Policy towards Vietnam

Khrushchev called for the admission of both Vietnams to the UN in 1957, but was reluctant to provide sufficient support for the reunification of Vietnam.

Sino-Soviet Split

The tension between the Soviet Union and China led to deep divisions among the Communist leadership in Hanoi, impacting their support and policies.

Mao's Ideological Differences with Soviets

Mao emphasized the importance of the peasantry, while the Soviets followed Marxist-Leninist emphasis on the industrial-proletariat, leading to ideological clashes.