The Cold War Heats Up: Asia What causes the cold war to heat up in Asia?
Chinese Civil War Started in 1930s, temporarily halted during WW II 1945: Civil war restarts Nationalists (led by Chiang Kai-Shek) v. Communists (led by Mao-Zedong) US must “contain” Communism, will aid Chiang during Civil War VS
Mao’s Red Army (CCP) vs. Chiang’s Nationalist Army (KMT) 1945: US gives $2 billion to help Nationalists beat Communists –Nationalists winning at first but China’s economy worsens US money is poorly spent & people are upset with Nationalists –Nationalists troops begin defecting to Red Army 1949: Mao controls most of China, creates “People’s Rep. Of China” Chiang & his army flee to island Taiwan, set up “Republic of China” * “Loss of China” = containment policy fails Stalin & Mao request UN seat be given to PRC, US vetoes
Battle for Korea [ ] Democratic People’s Republic of Korea vs. Republic of Korea
A Country Divided Arguments over future of Korea UN decides to split country at 38 th Parallel –Two countries form, N. Korea & S. Korea US sends money to S. Korea Soviets send weapons to N. Korea’s leader Kim Il-Sung Stalin encourages Kim to invade S. Korea, says Truman won’t risk war After NK crosses 38 th Parallel, Truman urges UN to take action! On a day when Soviets are boycotting UN, Sec. Council votes to use troops in Korea
The Korean War [ ] 1. North Korea crosses 38 th Parallel on June 25th 2. North Korea takes over almost entire peninsula 3. MacArthur arrives with UN army – push NK to China 4. Mao’s Chinese army enters War – pushes UN back into South Korea
MacArthur’s Solution Urges Truman to drop an a-bomb on China Truman says goal is to get NK out of SK, can’t expand the war MacArthur publicly criticizes Truman to Press & Congress Truman fires MacArthur – costs Truman support
Korean War Stalemate War is going back and forth, Truman popularity at 25% in : Truman doesn’t run for re-election – Dwight Eisenhower wins presidency July 1953: an armistice is signed, ending war Communism contained in South Korea