The Korean War Flashcards
What were the ultimate positive consequences of the Korean War for China? (2 pt)
- Showed international powers China was a force to be reckoned with
- Shifted the government focus from rebuilding the country
What did Stalin say to Kim Il Sung when he requested help?
“you will have to ask Mao for help”
When was the Korean War?
1950-1953
When did China get involved in the Korean War?
October 1950
Why did China get involved in the Korean War?
They did not wish to see North Korea fall to imperialism and they did not wan ta hostile government in North Korea, which bordered China
Why was Mao reluctant to join the Korean war?
- He wanted to demobilise his troops in Taiwan
- The people’s republic could not afford the war as their funds had to be directed toward national reconstruction
- Fighting America would be a large effort
What did Mao say, indicating his hesitance in entering into the Korean War?
To Kim: “don’t forget, you are fighting the chief imperialist. Be prepared for the worst”
What did Zhou Enlai say indicating the necessity of China to enter the Korean War?
“The Chinese people absolutely will not tolerate foreign aggression…”
How many Chinese soldiers were out of action in the end of the Korean War? Compared to how many Americans?
900,000
157,000
Why did the Chinese have initial success?
The Americans vastly underestimated their numbers, thinking only 10,000 men had crossed the border but 350,000 actually did
What were the ultimate negative consequences for China?
- An economic embargo was enforced on China, setting back the economy
- People’s Republic was excluded from the UN
- The People’s Republic became more reliant on Soviet Support
- The US promised to support Taiwan in the event of an attack from the CCP
How did the Korean War contribute to anti-American sentiment?
- ‘resist America, aid Korea’ slogan was coined
- talk of atrocities such as the use of germ warfare and testing of nuclear weapons on Chinese POWs
What did Philip Short say that the Korean War created in China?
“In this superheated atmosphere, the campaign to suppress counter- revolutionaries burned white-hot”
What did Mao say in his reflection of the decision to enter the Korean War?
“100 percent wrong”
What did Mao say about the costs of the Korean War for China?
“What we spent on the war to resist US aggression and aid Korea more or less equalled our expenditure for national reconstruction”
