The Cold War in Asia

Cold War in Asia Containment did not work as well in Asia Imperialist system in India and Southeast Asia crumbled Former colonies became new nations These new nations had different cultural and political traditions, bitter memories of Western colonialism Resisted U.S. influences Ironically, the Asian nation that became most closely tied to U.S. defenses was Japan

Cold War in Asia Unlike Germany, Japan was under the sole occupation of the U.S. May 1947- a new constitution was adopted that set up a parliamentary democracy in Japan Emperor Hirohito remained as a ceremonial head of state The new constitution renounced war as an instrument of national policy and limited Japan’s military capability Japan depended on the military protection of the U.S.

U.S.-Japanese Security Treaties Two treaties signed in 1951 did the following: Japan surrendered its claims to Korea and islands in the Pacific U.S. ended formal occupation of Japan U.S. troops remained in military bases in Japan for that country’s protection against outside enemies (Communism) Japan became a strong ally and prospered under American protection U.S. continued to strengthen its presence in the Pacific when the Philippines became an independent republic on July 4, 1946 U.S. retained important naval and air bases there

Civil War in China After WWII, a civil war resumed in China that dated back to the 1930s Fought between Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists and Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong Nationalists were losing support because of runaway inflation and government corruption Well-organized Communists successfully appealed to the poor and homeless

U.S. Policy in China U.S. attempts to negotiate a peace failed 1947- Chiang’s armies were in retreat Ruling out an invasion to save Chiang and the Nationalists, Congress voted to give the Nationalists government $400 million in aid 80% of this aid ended up in the hands of the Communists because of corruption and collapse of the Nationalist armies

Two Chinas By the end of 1949, all of mainland China was controlled by the Communists Chiang and the Nationalists had retreated to the island of Taiwan, where Chiang still claimed to be the legitimate leader of China The U.S. continued to support Chiang and refused to recognize Mao Zedong’s regime (People’s Republic of China) for over 30 years

Reaction to China Democrats were blamed for “the loss of China” to the Communists 1950: Mao Zedong and Stalin signed the Sino-Soviet pact Seemed to provide further proof of a worldwide Communist conspiracy

The Korean War After Japan’s defeat in WWII, its former colony of Korea was divided along the 38th parallel Soviet armies occupied the north while U.S. forces occupied the south 1949- both armies retreated, leaving the North in the hands of Communist leader Kim Il Sung South was left under the leadership of conservative nationalist Syngman Rhee

The Korean War June 25, 1950- North Korean army suddenly and unexpectedly invaded South Korea Truman called for a special session of the U.N. Security Council which authorized a U.N. force to defend South Korea Most of the U.N. forces sent to help were made up of American soldiers, led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur Congress avoided a declaration of war by accepting Truman’s explanation of the U.N. intervention as “police action”

The Korean War North Korea successfully pushed the South Korean and U.N. forces to the southern tip of the peninsula Gen. MacArthur reversed the war by a brilliant, amphibious surprise assault at Inchon behind North Korean lines After Inchon, U.N. forces surrounded and defeated much of North Korea’s army, and pushed them all the way back to the Chinese border

The Korean War China warned it would resist threats to its security U.N. and American forces were too close to their border November 1950- masses of Chinese troops cross the border to help North Korea U.N. forces were overwhelmed in one of the worst defeats in U.S. military history Driven out of North Korea

Truman vs. MacArthur MacArthur was able to stabilize fighting near the 38th parallel Called for expanding the war, and bombing and invading China Truman cautioned MacArthur about making public statements and criticisms of U.S. policies MacArthur continued to speak out anyway April 1951- MacArthur was fired for insubordination MacArthur returned home a hero, and many Americans agreed with his sentiment that “there is no substitute for victory” Critics attacked Truman and the Democrats for not being harder on the Communists

Armistice The fighting stalemated around the 38th parallel Peace talks began in July 1951 but dragged on for two years An armistice wasn’t signed until 1953 during Eisenhower’s first year in office More than 2.5 million died in the Korean conflict, including 54,000 Americans

Political Consequences of the Korean War Technically, Truman’s containment policies in Korea worked: Stopped Communist aggression Did not allow the conflict to escalate into a world war Truman administration used this to justify expanding the military, funding a new jet bomber, and stationing more U.S. troops overseas Republicans were far from satisfied: Stalemate in Korea and Communist takeover of China led many to believe Truman and Democrats were too “soft on Communism”

How did the new Japanese constitution affect our relationship with Japan? What happened in China after WWII? Who led the Chinese Communists? Why were the Nationalists losing support in China? What happened to the American aid sent to help out the Nationalists in China? What happened to China by the end of 1949? After Japan’s defeat in WWII, what two countries temporarily occupied Korea? What happened after these two armies retreated? Give a brief timeline of events that occurred during the Korean War Despite his military success in Korea, why was Gen. MacArthur fired by President Truman? What are the contrasting views of U.S. intervention in Korea? ?