Chapter 8. Korean War

Chapter 8 - Korean War 1950-1953 can be SBQed what what happen how did this impact Potsdam Conference, July 1945 Allied powers agreed for US to govern SK while USSR govern NK (38th parallel) until new government USSR and US temporary influence Formation of Republic of Korea (SK), May 1948 Syngman Rhee becomes president, US supported his elections due to anti-communist Very eager to unify Korea Formation of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (NK), 9 Sep 1948 Kim Il Sung is appointed as leader, USSR did not want elections Isolated NK from rest of the world to limit external influence and opposition Very eager to unify Korea Communism in China, October 1949 Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong was victorious over GMD, making China communist UN refused to grant membership to Communist China (US influence) Proved strength of communists and weakness of US US was concerned: massive new communist state on the map - refused to acept CCP and continued backing up GMD in Taiwan Dean Acheson’s defensive perimeter speech, 12 Jan 1950 at National Press Club US secretary of state outlined a US Pacific security line running from the Aleutians to Japan, the Ryukyus, and the Philippines excluded Korea? - seen as encouraging NK invasion Sino-Soviet Treaty, 14 Feb 1950 USSR and China signed Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance Loan of $300million from USSR to help China rebuild after war USSR has ally that borders NK, China can supply troops and support

USSR Detonates bomb, Aug 1949 USSr successfully detonated its first abomb US no longer had upper hand, Stalin was more confident NK invades SK, 25 June - Sep 1950 NK advanced rapidly Truman immediately sent advisors, supplies and workers and pressured UN to condemn NK UN forces landed, Sep-Oct 1950 Drove NK back Douglas MacArthur (UN General commanding UN forces) continued to advance into NK, defying Truman orders, ready to use abomb Mao Zedong did not want a unified Korea to border China Chinese forces join, Oct-April 1951 Chinese forces began crossing into NK secretly 200k Chinese troops joined NK, equipped with Soviet tanks and aircraft UN forces pushed back into SK April 1951: MacArthur is dismissed by Truman July 1951 Armistice talks began at Panmunjom (near the 38th parallel) June 1951 -July 1953 Fighting reached a stalemate (38th parallel) April-July 1953 Armistice talks resumed and was signed in July NK wanted division to be at 38th parallel UN and SK wanted division to be along battle lines =DMZ created

who intentions how help? USSR Stalin Initially hesitant - already busy with Eastern Europe, don’t wanna deal with US Wanted Korea war to just be civil war 1950 onwards: More confident to support: - detonated abomb - China ally (communist W) - US Defense Perimeter Speech excluded SK, believed US might not intervene directly Wants to spread communism - Korea can spread to Asia, fight US’s sphere of influence Trained and organised NKPA (Korean People’s Army): a formidable fighting force Supplied military aid (weapons and equipment) and trained air forces of China and NK North Korea Kim Il Sung Wants to reunify Korea More confident: With China and USSR support Many NKreans fought alongside CCP against GMD - NK army strong, China more wiling to help Repeatedly pressed Stalin for permission to invade SK China Mao Zedong Constant pressure from USSR Sino-Soviet pact (1950) - as ally, needed to help Wants to show the world China is a major power: show Chinese/political rivals that communism is strong China borders Korea - already near Taiwan and Japan, security will be threatened Sent troops, army and military training to NK up to 250k chinese troops NKPA and PLA (People’s Liberation Army, China) pushed UN forces back to 38th parallel

US Harry Truman Initially hesitant - Dean Acheson’s Defensive Perimeter: Korea outside Asia-Pacific, don’t wanna deal with USSR Scared of further spread of communism: - China becomes communist (1949) - NSC-68 (policy paper) report states that USSR is spreading communism Is communism strong?: USSR detonates abomb Provided military aid and supplies to SK Military advisors sent to train and organise the Republic of Korea’s Army (ROKA) Pressured the UN to condemn North Korea’s actions - biggest contributor of troops to UN forces, 300k troops Referred to UN involvement as “police action” - avoid direct confrontation South Korea Syngman Rhee Wants to reunify Korea 600k troops SEQ - What was the main reason for the outbreak? - US lack of concern - Desire to unify Korea - Who was the main party in the outbreak? - US - USSR - Korean leaders (can separate or as one) - China - Why did US get involved? - protect South Korea - stop spread of communism - Why did USSR get involved? - support North Korea - rivalry with US - Why did China get involved? - support North Kora - defend national security (protect border) o levels tested this chapter twice in 2025-2016 - The Korean War broke out because North Korea felt threatened. [2021 O Level] - The Soviet Union became involved in the Korean War to protect North Korea. [2018 O Level]