The widening of the Cold War 1949-1955

What are 3 arguments for the dropping of the atomic bomb?

-it was key to ending the war ASAP

-it would save US lives that would have been lost in a ground invasion

-it was necessary to convince the emperor to surrender

What are 3 arguments against the dropping of the atomic bomb?

-Japan had already largely surrendered

-the entry of the USSR into the war would likely lead to complete surrender of Japan

-it was extremely unethical and cost the lives of millions

Who had most influence over post-war Japan?

The USA- the dropping of the atomic bomb meant that the USA was able to claim nearly total influence in post-war Japan

Who led the Japanese reconstruction as head of SCAP?

General McArthur

What four things were the USA hoping to achieve in Japan in 1945?

-re-education

-democritisation

-economic reform

-demilitarisation

Why did the USA want economic reform in Japan?

They hoped that the Japanese would follow American style capitalism and thus form trade links with the US economy

What was the post-war state of Japan?

The war had destroyed many transportation networks, leading to hunger and food shortages- this was arguably worsened by McArthur

What was the USA's initial goal in Japan?

They wanted to punish Japan for their role in the war by making them economically and militarily weak.

What did Article 9 of the Japanese constitution state?

'Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation'

What political reforms were introduced in post-war Japan?

-the Emperor's power was reduced

-a Parliament was created

-trade unions were given legal protection

-the state was made secular

What was the zaibatsu?

Means wealth clique. The heart of the economy in Japan had monopolies over many nationalised industries.

Why did American officials not agree with the zaibatsu?

They had monopolies on many businesses which they felt to be corporatocracy

What did Kennan argue for the future of Japan?

He argued a 'reverse course': Japan would not have to pay reparations and de-industrialisation was stopped

Why would a 'reverse course' in Japan benefit the USA?

A strong Japan and Germany would counter Soviet power by allowing them to be modelled into good, strong, allies

How much money did the USA send Japan as financial aid?

$500 million

What were Joseph Dodge's economic policies for Japan?

-he wanted a super balanced budget with a surplus of 157m yen

-wanted Japan to join world institutions

-efficient taxation and lower wages

What happened on the 1st October 1949?

Mao Zedong announced the creation of the People's Republic of China

What was signed on the 14th February 1950?

The Sino-Soviet treaty of friendship

Why did Japan become more important to the USA in the late 1940s/early 50s?

It became integral in the quest to contain Asian communism after China became communist

When was the US-Japan Security Treaty signed?

1951

What were the terms of the US-Japan security treaty?

-unrestricted use of military bases in Japan

-right to use military force to intervene in internal disorder

-right to veto offering military bases to others

How much extra war making capacity did Dean Acheson predict the USSR would gain if Japan fell to communism?

25%

What disagreement happened at the San Francisco conference 1951?

The Russian Delegate demanded that the PRC representative be seated but this was denied and labelled as out of order

What was the effect of the US-Japan Security Treaty?

It allowed the US to consolidate it's sphere of influence in Asia

What was agreed at the San Francisco summit?

Japan was given national sovereignty on the condition it renounced its claims to surrounding nations

What were the two groups and leaders of the Chinese Civil War?

Guomindang- led by Jiang Jieshi

The CCP-led by Mao Zedong

What did the two sides of the Chinese Civil War do when Japan invaded?

They united to fight off the Japanese from 1937-1945

When was the second Chinese civil war and what was the result?

1946-49

Mao Zedong wins and sets up the PRC on 1st October 1949

What was the USA's relationship with the GMD?

They supported them by sending weapons and troops in the civil war and still supported their claim to China after Mao won

How many rifles did Stalin give to the CCP in the Civil War?

700,000-900,000

How did Stalin help the CCP in the Civil War?

He gave them weapons and supplies as well as setting up military schools to teach warfare

Why wasn't Stalin entirely happy with Mao's victory?

Stalin had agreed at Yalta to enter the war by invading Manchuria and had signed a Treaty of Friendship with Jiang Jieshi to take Manchuria and Mongolia if he won

What did Stalin and Mao sign in February 1950?

The Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship

Where did Jiang Jieshi and the GMD finally end up in 1949?

The island of Taiwan

What was the USA's policy towards China before it became communist?

Open-Door policy- wanted to ensure free-trade and investment opportunities for all countries in China and protect it's sovereignty

Why did the USA want to trade with China?

-rich natural resources

-new market for US produced goods

Who does Truman support in China?

Jiang Jieshi

What was the China Lobby and how much did they convince Truman to give?

A group of GMD activists in Washington who convinced Truman to give $2.8 billion in aid

What was the reaction to the loss of China in the USA?

many people were very upset and Truman was heavily criticised by Republicans

What did the Guomindang do in 1927?

They launched an anti-communist purge

Describe Jiang Jieshi's government

Authoritarian, corrupt, violent, UNPOPULAR

How did Zedong begin to reshape Chinese society?

Industry was nationalised, farms were collectivised and opposition was oppressed

Why did Stalin want to side with Jieshi?

He wanted to extend his influence into Outer Mongolia and Manchuria and Jieshi would let him

For how long had America supported the Open Door Policy?

Since 1899

What did Truman want for China after WW2?

He wanted stability so had encouraged Jiang Jieshi to make a coalition with Zedong

Why were so many people shocked by the communist victory in China?

They thought it signalled Stalin's expansionist drive into Asia

What domestic event happened in the USA as a result of the Chinese Civil War?

Senator Joseph McCarthy would create anti-Soviet hysteria- known as the Red Scare

What did Jieshi do as leader of Taiwan?

-he maintained his claim as rightful ruler of China

-he founded the Republic of China there

-he took 500,000 soldiers and 2 million refugees with him

-he led a deeply repressive regime

How many died in Jieshi's Taiwanese regime?

3000-4000

When was the Chinese White Paper published?

30th July 1949

What did the Chinese White Paper state?

It was an assessment by Acheson of the US' relationship with China, outlining the current situation of the civil war and assessing America's next steps

When was the Defensive Perimeter Strategy introduced?

January 1950

What was the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?

A US policy developed to ensure the security of the South Pacific. Seen by Acheson as the military defense of Japan.

What triggered NSC-68?

-the fall of China

-the USSR testing an atomic bomb

When was NSC-68 published?

7th April 1950

What did NSC-68 emphasise?

A globalisation of the Cold War, achieved by emphasising the military aspect of containment

What did NSC-68 advocate for?

A massive build up of American military power and a more aggressive application of containment

How did NSC-68 represent a change in foreign policy?

Instead of solely focusing on containing the spread of communism, NSC-68 encouraged active rolling back of communism, becoming more aggressive

Why did NSC-68 paint the USSR as such a huge threat?

It justified more aggressive policies against them

What would be the danger of Asia falling to communism?

-it would endanger the stability of Europe

-the USA would lose a source of raw materials e.g. rubber, petroleum

-would damage trade to Japan, weakening an ally

What promise was Eisenhower elected on in 1954?

being 'tough' on and 'rolling back' communism

How does NSC-68 characterise the USSR?

Dangerously radical and an existential threat

What is the impact of NSC-68?

Leads to more military spending, espionage and technological innovation

What was China's slogan for involvement in the Korean war?

'resisting America and assisting Korea'

How much did Soviet trade with China increase from 1950-53?

from 30% of trade to 56%

What are the two likely outcomes of an imperial power withdrawing?

A power vacuum is created or a liberation struggle takes hold

Describe Korea after the end of WW2?

Divided along the 38th parallel.

The South were capitalist, led by Syngman Rhee

The North were communist led by Kim Il Sung

How many combatants died in the Korean War?

1.2 million

What was the impact of the Korean war on the state of Korea?

Korea was economically decimated as infrastructure was damaged

What is a quote to show the state of Korea after the war?

"almost the entire Korean peninsula is just a terrible mess. Everything is just destroyed"

What are the two main views for why the Korean War started?

-superpower rivalry

-domestic situation in Korea

On the USSR's part, what evidence proves that the Korean War began due to superpower involvement?

-Stalin gave Kim Il Sung permission to go to war

-the USSR provided weapons and training to North Korea (made them stronger than the South)

-the successful testing of the atom bomb made the USSR more confident and Stalin believed the USA would not support the South

How did the Korean War begin?

North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950

In terms of the USA, what evidence shows that the Korean war started due to superpower intervention?

-the USA was well prepared for war, had increased military spending

-assured Rhee that they would come to his assistance

-USA was scared of the domino effect in Asia

What was the first stage of the Korean war?

In June 1950, the North attacked the South, met little resistance and successfully took Seoul

What was the second phase of the Korean War?

UN votes to send forces to aid the South, push the North Korean army back and move into the North, taking Pyongyang

What was the third phase of the Korean War?

China sends troops to support North Korea, pushing UN forces back south

What was the resolution of the Korean War?

An armistice was signed that divided Korea along the 38th parallel

Why did many Koreans want war?

They were upset at the division of the country, particularly in the South where people were upset about the authoritarian regime and would have welcomed the communists. Wanted to reunite the country

What percentage of the vote did Syngman Rhee get in the 1948 elections?

13.5%

What was the 1946 Autumn Uprising?

8000 railroad workers in Korea went on strike, starting a peasant uprising which was crushed by the US military

What was the Jeju rising?

A rebellion on the island of Jeju in Korea, brutally suppressed by US forces

What was the 1948 Yeosu-Suncheon rebellion?

As a response to suppression of other uprisings, many South Korean soldiers seized weapons and took control of their town, flying the communist flag

What did Stalin say no to in Korea in 1947?

He refused to agree to elections which would unify the country

Why might it be wrong to blame Stalin for the Korean War?

He refused to give the green light for invasion until 1950 and claimed that it was important the 38th parallel remain peaceful

What disagreement occurred between Truman and McArthur in 1951?

McArthur wanted to use the atom bomb on China, Truman refused and removed him from his post

What did the Korean War prove about containment?

It proved that containment was successful as South Korea had remained a capitalist ally to the USA

How many soldiers did Stalin leave in Korea in 1949?

135,000 men, tanks and artillery

How much did pentagon budget increase by due to the Cold War?

It tripled

What was the effect of the Korean war on the UN?

It established a new military role for the UN with the USA at the forefront

What did Dulles advise Rhee to do?

"start the aggression against the north, accompanied by a counter-propaganda on the grounds that the North has invaded the South first"

How much extra territory did South Korea gain from an armistice agreement?

1500 square miles

Why was it significant that Korea was not in the Defensive Perimeter?

It made Stalin think that the USA would not come to South Korea's defence

When did Stalin give permission for Kim Il Sung to invade?

April 1950

Why was Rhee unpopular?

He relied heavily on American backing and was authoritarian

How would the future of South Korea benefit the USA?

South Korea would become a strong capitalist economy- helping with containment

What was the impact of the Korean war for the USSR?

-their authority grew at home

HOWEVER

-relations with China became strained

-the capitalist bloc became stronger

-failed to unite Korea

What was the impact of the Korean War on China?

Despite large human and economic costs, the war had proved that China could stand up to the West- their intervention had forced the UN back

What was the impact of the Korean War on Japan?

They massively benefited from money spent on them by the US military as many operation bases were placed there. Helped create a prosperous economy thus strengthening containment in Asia

How many trucks were ordered from Toyota for the US military in July 1950?

1000