1. Chapter 18 Section 2
The Cold War Heats Up

2. Civil War in China
During WWII- A Japanese invasion interrupted a long Chinese Civil War
Communists vs. Nationalists
Communist leader-Mao Zedong
Nationalist leader-Chiang Kai-shek

3. Civil War in China
US begins aiding Nationalists during WWII

4. Civil War in China US military officials didn’t like Chiang
Found his govmt dictatorial, inefficient, and hopelessly corrupt
Policies of Chiang undermined the Nationalists

5. Civil War in China collected a grain tax from farmers during a famine
Secret police fired against protesters protesting against a 10,000% increase in the price of rice

6. Civil War in China
Communists skillful in winning support of the peasants
Communists would redistribute land to peasants and reduce rents

7. Fighting Breaks Out As soon as Japanese left China-civil war resumed
Americans favored the nationalists because they opposed communists
1944 to 47 US tried to make peacemaker between 2 groups-while still supporting nationalists

8. Fighting Breaks Out Truman refused to commit American soldiers
US sent $2 billion worth of military equipment and supplies

9. Fighting Breaks Out Nationalist problems: Weak military leadership
Corrupt
Abusive practices drove peasants to the communists

10. Fighting Breaks Out
May Chiang and the remnants of his govmt and army fled to Taiwan
An island east of mainland China

11. America Reacts to Communist Takeover
American public stunned
Containment failed
Congress attack Truman for not supplying enough aid to Chiang
Shouldn’t containment be important in Asia as well as Europe?

12. America Reacts to Communist Takeover
State Department said the only way to help the Nationalists was to go to war
A war the US wasn’t prepared to fight
Most people accepted this reasoning
Some rejected it as lame excuses

13. America Reacts to Communist Takeover
Many claimed the US “lost” China
Said American govmt was riddled with Communist agents
American fear of Communism grew

14. Koreans go to War Japan ruled Korea until 1945
Japanese north of 38th parallel surrendered to Russians
South of 38th parallel surrendered to the US

15. Koreans go to War 38th parallel not intended as a permanent boundary
2 different nations emerged-one communist, one not
South Korea becomes Republic of Korea-headed by Syngman Rhee

16. Koreans go to War North becomes Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Headed by Kim Il Sung
By US and Soviets had left Korea
Each govmt claimed sole right to rule all Korea

18. North Korea Attacks South Korea
June 25, 1950 North invades South-Begins Korean War
Americans alarmed that another Asian nation may fall to communism
Truman decides to take military action

19. North Korea Attacks South Korea
June 27, 1950-UN pledges to help South Korea
16 nations with 520,000 troops assist South Korea
Under command of Douglas MacArthur

20. US Fights in Korea NK unstoppable at 1st
After 1 month- UN troops forced to small defensive zone around Pusan

21. MacArthur’s Counterattack
MacArthur launches counterattack
Sept 15, 1950 UN troops land at Inchon
Other troops move north from Pusan
North Koreans trapped in the middle

22. MacArthur’s Counterattack
Many NK troops surrendered
Many fled back behind 38th parallel
10/7/1950- UN recommends MacArthur cross 38th parallel and reunite Korea

23. MacArthur’s Counterattack
China warned that they would not stand by and let the Americans come to the border-the Yalu River
MacArthur dismisses Chinese threat

24. The Chinese Fight Back 11/25/1950- 300,000 Chinese move into NK
By Christmas, Chinese force UN forces 100 miles south of 38th parallel
2 more years neither side able to make an advance

25. MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
Calls for extension of war into China-to end the stalemate
Blockade Chinese coast
Use atomic bombs on China
Use Chiang Kai Shek’s troops to invade southern China

26. MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
Truman rejects MacArthur’s request
Didn’t want US involved in a massive land war in Asia
Soviets had a mutual assistance pact with the Chinese
Could set off WWIII

27. MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
Instead of attacking China – UN forces advance against Korean forces
Retake Seoul
Moved back up to the 38th parallel

28. Settling for a Stalemate
Soviets suggest a cease-fire on June 23, 1951
Truce talks began in July 1951

29. Settling for a Stalemate
By following Spring, opposing sides agreed on 2 points:
1. Location of the ceasefire line at the existing battle line
2. Establish a demilitarized zone between the opposing sides

30. Settling for a Stalemate
July two sides sign an armistice ending the war
Basically ended in a stalemate

31. American Victory? Communism contained without a world war
No use of atomic weapons
Although the threat of using them helped break a negotiation deadlock

32. Communist Victory? North Korea still communist
Still 2 Koreas rather than 1

33. Effects of Korean War 54,000 Americans killed
Cost between $20 and $22 billion
High cost of war led to rejection of Democratic party in 1952
Election of Dwight D. Eisenhower as President
Increased fear of communist aggression
Prompted a hunt for spies