The Cold War in Asia

The US felt they had a commitment to Philippines, Japan, and China, and wanted to restore peace, help Asians resist foreign rule, and restore Asian trade with the world.

I. Philippines A. Became the independent Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946 B. Early years of independence were dominated by U.S.-assisted postwar reconstruction. C. A communist-inspired Huk Rebellion ( ) complicated recovery efforts but was suppressed under the leadership of a new president and military aid from the U.S.

A.At the Potsdam Conference, the “Big 3” decided that after WWII: 1.Japan militarists should be punished and Japan disarmed. 2.Japanese rule should be restricted to their homeland. 3.Japanese should be reeducated to form a republican government. II. The Occupation in Japan

(28) General Douglas MacArthur was named Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in Asia and carried out the Potsdam Declaration. C. The Allies intended to make Japan pay war damages; however they did not have the money or the resources. Instead, they received $2 billion in aid and gained back their independence.

D. U.S. forces will occupy Japan from Emperor Hirohito remained in power but was nothing more than a figurehead. 2. A new constitution was adopted. It provided for a democratic gov’t where women could vote and people could have freedom of religion. 3. Japan will retreat from militarism and instead focus on technology and industry.

Japan

How might the actions that the U.S. took to stabilize Japan after the war affect the future relations of the two nations? Tell me what YOU think…

III. COMMUNIST REVOLUTION IN CHINA

(8) JAPANESE DEMOBILIZATION FROM CHINA 1. As Japanese militarists were forced to leave occupied areas in China after WWII, Communist and Nationalist Parties of China, which had been fighting for over two decades, scrambled to seize territory. 2. Both parties were more interested in the arsenals and the technology left by Japan than the actual land itself.

B. COMMUNISTS in China 1. Leader: Mao Zedong 2. Located in the Northeast 3.Mao Zedong gained popularity amongst the Chinese because he gave land to peasants and he fought against the Japanese occupation.

C. NATIONALISTS in China 1. Leader: Chiang Kai-Shek 2. Located in the South 3. US sent 50,000 troops to help secure the Nationalists’ power.

D. CIVIL WAR IN CHINA 1. General George C. Marshall traveled to China in Dec 1945 to arrange a truce between the two parties, but they would not compromise. 2. Nationalists attacked Communists in July, 1946, and the Civil War began.

(8 cont.) Nationalists & Communists fought Civil War in China: a. Mao’s forces took over much of China & weakened the Nationalists b. US felt they should focus foreign-aid on helping Western Europe against Stalin, rather than saving China.

E. COMMUNIST VICTORY 1. Even with US support, the Nationalists fell to Mao’s troops. 2. October of (8…) 1949: Communists established the People’s Republic of China.

Hu Jintao 胡锦涛 Current president of the People’s Republic of China Elected in March 2003

Nationalists retreated to the island of Taiwan.

4. The US refused to recognize their government, claiming that the Nationalists were the legal government of China. 5. **The US refused to let Mao’s government gain a seat in the United Nations. 6.** This made the Soviet Union (also Communist, remember) upset.

Does the U.S. have the right to oppose a civil war/revolution that is supported by the majority of a country’s residents? Tell me what YOU think…

IV. War in Korea

A. When Japan surrendered in WWII, they were forced to leave Korea, which they had occupied since B. The US and the USSR divided up Korea at the 38 th parallel. In 1948, each side sets up its own government. (7) Division of Korea- post WWII

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea North Supported by USSR Communist gov’t Leader Kim Il Sung Republic of Korea South Supported by US Capitalist Leader Syngman Rhee

(26) NORTH KOREA ATTACKS SOUTH KOREA On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces swept across the 38 th parallel in a surprise attack on South Korea With only 500 U.S. troops in South Korea, the Soviets figured the Americans would not fight to save South Korea Instead, America sent troops, planes and ships to South Korea

MACARTHUR’S COUNTERATTACK At first, North Korea seemed unstoppable However, General MacArthur launched a counterattack with tanks, heavy artillery, and troops Many North Koreans surrendered; others retreated across the 38 th parallel

CHINA JOINS THE FIGHT Just as it looked like the Americans were going to score a victory in the North, 300,000 Chinese soldiers joined the war on the side of the North Koreans The fight between North and South Korea had turned into a war in which the main opponents were Chinese Communists vs. America

(28) MACARTHUR RECOMMENDS ATTACKING CHINA To halt the bloody stalemate, General MacArthur called for an extension of the war into China Furthermore, MacArthur called for the U.S. to drop atomic bombs on several Chinese cities President Truman rejected the General’s requests OK, so that wasn’t during the Korean War. But at least, you got to hear his voice.

President Truman vs. General MacArthur

MacArthur continued to urge President Truman to attack China and tried to go behind Truman’s back – Truman was furious with his general On April 1, 1951, Truman made the shocking announcement that he had fired MacArthur Americans were surprised and many still supported their fallen general Macarthur was given a ticker-tape parade “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

AN ARMISTICE IS SIGNED (26 cont…) Korean War Negotiators began working on a settlement as early as the summer of Finally, in July 1953, an agreement was signed that ended the war in a stalemate (38th parallel) America’s cost: 54,000 lives and $67 billion Korean War Memorial, Washington D.C.

FYI: How many dead? The true casualty figures for the North and South Koreans and Chinese will never be known. It is estimated that some 46,000 South Korean soldiers were killed and over 100,000 wounded. The Chinese are estimated by the Pentagon as having lost over 400,000 killed (including Mao Tse-tung's son) and 486,000 wounded, with over 21,000 captured. The North Koreans lost about 215,000 killed, 303,000 wounded and over 101,000 captured or missing.

THE COLD WAR IS NOT OVER … It will last 40 more years, 7 more Presidents…