How did the Cold War develop in the years 1949-1955 The Korean War, 1950-1953 Key questions: Why did the UN and the USA become involved in Korea? What was the role of General MacArthur? What part did the USSR and China play? What impact did the Korean war have?

Background to the Korean War What had been happening in the Cold war up to 1950? Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe Formation of NATO China became communist 1949 USSR has tested its first Atomic bomb

Situation in Korea after WW2 During WW2 occupied by Japan After Japanese defeat North occupied by Soviet troops and South by American troops Agreed that there would be elections and Korea would be united again By 1948 this had proved impossible so 2 independent states set up, divided by 38th Parallel and held elections North  communist government under Kim Il Sung (capital Pyongyang) South  anti-communist government under Syngman Rhee (capital Seoul) Soviet and American troops left in 1949 but both Superpowers continued to support their preferred government Both Syngman Rhee and Kim Il Sung wanted to unite the country under their own leadership

The US Domino Theory This map from an American magazine published Nov 1950… What does it tell us? China’s entry into Korean war may be only a diversion, with French Indo-China as real goal for conquest. Red-held Korea would point dagger at Japan. Chinese invasion of Korea is matched by intensified campaign in Indo-China Causes of War in Korea: (1) Domino theory:   Europe was not the only place where Communists were coming to power. In the Far East, too, they were getting powerful – China turned Communist in 1949.   Truman believed that, if one country fell to Communism, then others would follow, like a line of dominoes.    He was worried that, if Korea fell, the Communists would capture Japan.    Undermine Communism:   In April 1950, the American National Security Council issued a report (NSC 68) recommending that America abandon 'containment' and start 'rolling back' Communism. (2) Cold War: Truman realised the USA was in a competition for world domination with the USSR.   By supporting South Korea, America was able to fight Communism without directly attacking Russia.  (3) Kim Il Sung visited Stalin. In 1949, he persuaded Stalin that he could conquer South Korea. Stalin did not think that America would dare to get involved, so he gave his agreement. Stalin saw a chance to continue the cold war and discomfort America, but ‘at arm’s length’ – without directly confronting the Americans.   Kim II Trigger .. Sung also went to see Mao Zedong, the leader of China, to get his agreement. In 1950, Syngman Rhee boasted that he was going to attack North Korea. It was a good enough excuse – the North Koreans invaded South Korea.

Background and Causes of War in Korea USA USSR Domino theory: Truman believed that, if one country fell to Communism, then others would follow, like a line of dominoes.    He was worried that if Korea fell the Communists would capture Japan Rolling Back:   In April 1950, the American National Security Council issued a report (coded NSC-68) recommending that America abandon 'containment' and start 'rolling back' Communism Cold War: Truman realised the USA was in a competition for world domination with the USSR.   By supporting South Korea, America was able to fight Communism without directly attacking Russia USA aggression feared: As the US formed NATO and negotiated eco/mil aid with Japan Kim Il Sung visited Stalin: In 1949, he persuaded Stalin that he could conquer South Korea. Stalin did not think that America would dare to get involved, so he gave his agreement. Stalin saw a chance to cause trouble for America, but without directly confronting the Americans ( Aid: SU gave aid and tanks and planes to North Koreans Trigger: In 1950 N Koreans attacked after Syngman Rhee boasted he was going to attack North Korea said they acted to protect themselves as SK troops had crossed the 38th Parallel

Results of Korean War Korea was devastated by the war (4mil soldiers and civilians killed and 5mil homeless) and country remained divided American losses (50,000) UN (approximately 18 countries sent troops as part of UN army - 17,000) China lost nearly 1mil soldiers

Headings for Notes on Impact of the Korean War Tested and developed policy of containment Roll-back, SEATO UN had become involved Threat of Atomic bomb led to arms race Hydrogen bomb China emerged as a Superpower Balance of power

Impact of the Korean War: Tips! (AQA) During the Korean war, the Cold War had intensified and spread into new areas. It was no longer confined to Europe. Mistrust increased between the USA and SU with the foundation of the South East Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO) in 1954. A copy of NATO, it was designed to contain communism in the Far East USA had succeeded in beating off a bid to break through the Truman Doctrine and so turned its attention to other threatened areas in the Far East (Vietnam) UNO stood up to aggression showing itself stronger than the LoN War revealed China no longer weak and was prepared to stand up to West