1. #2 - The Cold War *Heats Up*” 26.2
The Conflicts with North Korea and China

2. Communism takes hold in China
Chiang Kai-shek (supported by US) and the Nationalists fought against communists for two decades
US had provided $3 billion to aid resistance between ‘45 and ‘49
Some Americans, however, saw the gov’t as inefficient and hopeless
Used secret police against citizens
When protestors demonstrated against a price increase in rice, the secret police opened fire on them (this was all amidst a famine wherein Chiang still charged a tax on farmers.

3. Mao Zedong and the Communists
Were gaining support through recruiting peasants
Encouraged them to read, helped improve food production
By ‘45, much of North was “red”

4. The Rivals Nationalists Leader: Chiang Kai-shek Communists
Leader: Mao Zedong
South, East China
Northern China
Relied heavily on aid from US
Relied heavily on aid from USSR
Struggled with inflation; failing economy
Promised land reform = attracted peasants
Weak leadership; Poor Morale
Experienced guerilla army; Motivated, strong leadership

5. Renewed Civil War After WWII, Japan left China
Cooperation b/w Nationalists/Communists ceased- WHY?
U.S. sided with Nationalists, despite failing gov’t- WHY?
U.S. tried to play “peacemaker”- never fully committed to supporting Nationalists w/ troops despite sending military supplies
Chiang’s gov’t failed- fled to Taiwan (“Republic of China”)
Why= they resisted communism

6. People’s Republic of China
Communist Regime led by Mao Zedong
Established October 1949
U.S. refused to accept as China’s true gov’t
More bad news: USSR exploded A-bomb in 9/49

7. America’s Reaction
Failure to contain Communism led to widespread fear:
Failure of US government?
Not enough aid vs. more aid = war?
Failure of Chinese government?
Chiang couldn’t maintain control
Ultimate fear: Commies existed in US government and supported Communist takeover?
Blast from the past AND foreshadowing of the future.. What “scare” did the US face?

8. Communist Conflict #2: Korea
Japan ruled Korea from August 1945
Upon surrender:
North Korea (above 38th parallel) surrendered to USSR
South Korea surrendered to U.S.
Much like what happened in Germany, two nations developed
North= communist
South= democratic

9. Korea is Split- 1948
North Korea (aka “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”):
Communist
Led by Kim Il-sung (former Guerilla leader)
Kim Jong-un’s Grandfather
Capital: Pyongyang
Backed by the USSR
South Korea (aka “Republic of Korea”):
Led by Syngman Rhee
Capital: Seoul
Minimally backed by the United States
NK Coat of Arms- Created in 2006

10. The Korean War
: Summer 1950
American troops in Korea for the purpose of preventing a Communist takes over of the peninsula.
The Americans engaged North Korean communists who were supported by Soviet money and arms

11. The Korean War Begins
June 25, 1950: North Korea launches surprise attack on South Korea
South Korea calls on UN to stop invasion
Soviets were boycotting council (Recall: Taiwan was there as “Nationalist China”)
Vote passes to aid S. Korea against attack
Soviets weren’t there to Veto the action.
Prelude to “Domino effect of Communism”?: Must be stopped!- Eisenhower

12. The World comes to S. Korea’s Aid
The Role of the UN
16 countries sent 520,000 troops: 90% were American
S. Korea added 590,000
Combined forces under leadership of General MacArthur
Truman also orders American fleet into waters b/w China and Taiwan
Reading: Death boats and Lifeboats

13. The Progression of War
North Korea pushes south to Pusan
UN forces respond and push back North to Yalu River
China intervenes, pushed UN forces to the 38th parallel (Korea served as buffer state)
Is the armistice line much different from the original dividing line? What was the point?

14. MacArthur Fired Publicly criticized Truman
Wanted to make use of nuclear weapons against Chinese cities (who became the main opponent in this war)
General Bradley (chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff):
Conflict w/ China would set off WWIII and would be “the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy.”
Reading: The General and the Senator
MacArthur wrote to newspapers criticizing the President

15. The General and the Senator
MacArthur received a ticker tape parade; was well loved by public for war heroism (WWII)
Congressional committee investigated his dismissal- sided w/ Truman

16. Results of the War July 1953 armistice achieved at Panmunjom
Originally suggested by Soviet Union in ‘51
At this point, Eisenhower is the President
Koreas still divided at the 38th parallel

17. Long-Lasting Effects? Americans feared Communist aggression
Prompted hunt in the U.S.
When else did we see this happen?
54,000 U.S. lives; $67 billion
Americans reject Democratic candidate in 1952 and elect Eisenhower
Atomic weapon was avoided, but Korea still in two