1. Agenda- 4/4
The Cold War Heats Up: Cold War in Asia, and the Korean War
Homework: you need to read through Chapter 26 sections 1 and 2 AND THREE by Friday.
I’m not going to collect notes this time. However, don’t forget that I can test you over anything from those sections.

2. China, Korea, and the US Policy of Containment

3. The Cold War was a conflict of rival ideologies between the USA & USSR that lasted from 1945 to 1991
Early in the Cold War from 1945 to 1949, the focus of the conflict was on Europe
The United States used the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, & NATO to successfully contain communism in Europe

4. Beginning in 1949, however, containment seemed to fail as communism spread to China, Korea, & Vietnam in Asia

5. In the 1920s, nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek took over & ran China as a dictatorship
Meanwhile, communism was growing in China under the leadership of Mao Zedong
Mao’ s Communist Party gained popularity among poor peasants by offering to redistribute land from wealthy warlords

6. A Common Enemy Nationalists and Communists team up to fight Japanese
In 1930’s, Japan took over Manchuria

7. Victory Because of their unification, the Chinese defeat the Japanese
Celebration is short lived…
After WWII, Nationalists and Communists begin fighting again

8. When WWII began, Chiang & Mao agreed to a truce from 1937 to 1945
After WWII, fighting resumed: Nationalists & Communists fought in a bloody civil war for control of China
When WWII began, Chiang & Mao agreed to a truce from 1937 to 1945
After WWII, Communists gained support & began to win control of China

9. Civil War Nationalists (Chiang Kai-shek, aka Jiang Jieshi) Vs.
Communists (Mao Zedong)

10. US Lends a Hand
Due to the philosophy of containment, the US supports Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists
Because they aren’t communist
Give approx. $3 billion in aid

11. Chiang’s gov’t fled China & set up in Taiwan
In 1949, the Communists won the Civil War & Mao created the Peoples’ Republic of China
Chiang’s gov’t fled China & set up in Taiwan
The USA was shocked when China fell to communism & only recognized the Nationalists as the gov’t of China

12. Effects of the Civil War
Mao Zedong establishes the People’s Republic of China
Chinese creates pact with Soviet Union

13. The fall of China to communism had a major impact on the Cold War between the USA & USSR

14. The fall of China was a shock to the USA & President Harry Truman took the blame for “losing China”

15. The USA acted when communism threatened Korea
The U.S. response to the fall of China was to more aggressively confront communism the world
The USA was afraid of a “domino theory” in which communist nations turn their neighbors communist
As a result, the USA vowed to contain the spread of communism anywhere in the world
The USA acted when communism threatened Korea

16. The Forgotten War The first “proxy war” in the Cold War
Korea
The Forgotten War
The first “proxy war” in the Cold War

17. Korea under Japanese Control
Japan ruled Korea
Post WWII:
Japan troops north of 38th parallel surrender to Soviets
Japan troops south of 38th parallel surrender to US
Korea becomes two nations – North and South – divided at the 38th degree latitude line

18. Democratic vs. Communist
North Korea = Communist
Soviets have great influence
South Korea = Democratic
US slowly pulls troops out, leaves South on own
Soviets don’t think US will defend South

19. Korean Conflict Soviets plan to take over full Korean peninsula
June 25, North attacks South
South appeals to United Nations
Vote to help South
June 27 - US sends in troops
16 nations help Korea with troops & aid
90% of troops come from US
Led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur

20. Korea - Not a War? Congress never declared war in Korea
Truman uses executive action to send troops
US not in a “war,” but “involved in a United Nations police action”

21. Conflict - Stage 1 North has advantage
Quickly move south and capture the capital, Seoul
Southern forces pushed to small area

22. Conflict - Stage 2 MacArthur counterattack
Surprise landing behind enemy lines
North retreats, UN forces chase them
Very close to Yalu River - border with China

23. Conflict - Stage 3 Enter: Communist China
Don’t want Americans at their border!
Need a buffer state – like North Korea – between the two
Push south and capture Seoul - again
Stalemate ensues

24. Conflict - Stage 4 MacArthur wants to attack China with atomic weapons
Truman refuses
China/Soviet pact - if the US attacks China, could start WWIII
Truman fires MacArthur

25. The USA successfully stopped communism from spreading into South Korea & showed that it was willing to fight to contain communism
Today, Korea remains divided between a communist and totalitarian North & a capitalist and democratic South
After 3 years of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed to in 1953, the fighting stopped, & the 38° was restored as the boundary between North & South Koreas

26. To sum it all up:
In 1950, North Korea (using Soviet supplied weapons) crossed the 38°& attacked South Korea
When South Korea appealed to the United Nations, the USA sent troops to Korea to contain communism
After WWII, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel with a totalitarian communist gov’t in North Korea & a democratic capitalist govt in South Korea
But, when the USA pushed too close to China, the Chinese Army entered the war & helped North Korea

27. Wrap-up
Truman’s decision to fight a limited war (and not invade China, as General MacArthur wanted to do) cost him popularity at home.
The “loss” of China to Communism and the stalemate in the Korean War led many Americans to become increasingly paranoid about the spread of Communism.

28. How did Americans respond to President Truman’s decision to fire General MacArthur?

29. Using the documents and your knowledge of history, answer the questions on the packet!
Note: Q1 is asking about MacArthur, not Truman

30. Doc A
Memorandum for the President, May 8, 1951
Document A

31. Doc B
Letter from Harold Russell

32. Doc C
Letter from Elizabeth Wood

33. Closure How did people feel about Truman’s decision?
What were some of the reasons that people gave for supporting or not supporting Truman?
What does this say about how people felt during the early years of the Cold War?