1. 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?

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 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