conflict and tension in asia (korean war)

When was the Yalta conference and what was it

• feb 1945 (before the war ended)

• Between Churchill, Roosevelt & stalin)

• Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe

• America had a new president

What & when was the Cold War

• At the end of ww2

• Between USA & Russia

• Both wanted to be the most powerful country in the world

Which country was capitalist

• USA

• Properties and business owned by private individuals

• Was the worlds richest country

• Extreme levels of wealth and poverty

Which country was communist

• ussr

• One party state

• Industry was organised and run by the state

• Unemployment and extreme poverty was rare

• Standard of living for soviets were lower

Why were the USA and USSR rivals?

• different ideologies

• In 1917 USA sent troops to fight against the new communist regime

• Russians weren’t included in the TOV talks

• USA arrested and deported thousands of suspected communists in the 1920

What happened between the countries in 1941

• fought together in ww2 against the common enemy (nazi germany)

How did the Cold War develop in Europe?

• by 1946 there was a clear devision between Eastern Europe (now under Stalin) and Western Europe

• Churchill claimed ‘an iron curtain has descended over Europe

When did the Korean War begin?

• June 1950

When did the Korean War end?

• July 1953

Who supported North Korea & who was the leader?

• China

• USSR

• lead by kim il sung

Who supported South Korea & who was the leader?

• USA

• lead by syngman rhee

What was some causes of the Korean War?

• WW2 = Japanese soldiers in northern part of Korea surrendered to USSR & southern part US forces, divided against the 38th parallel, this was meant to be temporary

• Domino theory = Truman believed if one country fell to communism, the others would eventually follow (worried that if Korea fell so would Japan; a strong ally)

• Refusal to allow communist China into the un = USA used veto to not allow China to join, and the USSR wasn’t there to stop him

• Cold War tensions = Truman realised USA was in competition for world domination with the ussr, by supporting South Korea America was able to fight communism without directly attacking Russia

What was the invasion

• 25th of June 1950

• Troops from communist north invaded the south

• Two days later president truman declared that USA would go to the aid of the south

Why did North Korea invade South Korea

• kim il sungs own idea

• Earlier in 1950

• Encourage by the new Chinese communist government

What was the US’ response to nk invading south

• Truman ordered the 7th fleet

• Sent famous ww2 general douglas MacArthur to assist South Koreans

• Truman was facing an election so needed to be tough on communism

What was the un’s response to nk invading south

• emergency meeting of security council called

• USSR had right to veto any decision

• But boycotted meeting because un didn’t recognise communist China

• Secretly supplying North Korea

What was the percentages coming from US?

• 50% of the army

• 93% of the airforce

• 86% of navy forces

Who was general douglas MacArthur

• Ww2 hero, dday landings

• In 1950 he was given command of the un forces in Korea

• Relieved of his duties in 1951

What was June 1950

North Korea invaded south, pushing south right back to pusan

What happened September 1950

Forces attack at Pusan and Inchan, push the fighting close into North Korea (roll back) reaching the Yalu Reiner at the boarder of China

What happened October 1950

China joined the fighting (had asked un forces to retreat but didn’t) sending 200,000 troops, pushing the fighting back last the 38th parallel into the south

What happened 1951-1953

The fighting was stuck around the 38th parallel (battle in the air & peace talks were happening)

Why was MacArthur sacked?

• Truman and MacArthur fell out; Truman happy with war ending at the 38th parallel

• MacArthur wanted to carry on fighting, invade China and even use nuclear weapons

• March 1951 MacArthur ignore un and threatened China

• Was sacked April 1951

• What could of carrying on the war lead to?

• mad (mutually assured destruction) didn’t want nuclear war

• Risked direct conflict with ussr

• Containment was us’ policy

What was fighting in the air

• End of 1951 stalemate on land 38th parallel was fortified

• US planes began bombing key North Korea positions

• Used high explosives

What was the fight back

• Stalin sent military equipment and ammunition to help the Chinese and North Korea forces

• Direct ussr involvement kept secret to avoid tension with USA

• Soviet planes marked with Chinese/North Korean markings

• Almost 2 years of air fighting

What were the peace talks

• started July 1951 and lasted for 2 years

• Peace 27th July 1953 took so long as USA occupied with election (Truman being replaced with Eisenhower)

• March 1953 Stalin died

What was the impact of the Korean War?

• 40,000 Americans died and over 100,000 wounded

• 200,000 South Korean soldiers killed and over 400,000 wounded

• 600,000 lost Chinese soldiers

• Around 400,000 North Korean soldiers

What was the anzus pact

• pact between USA, Australia and New Zealand (promising to protect eachother if attacked