Asia Flashcards
(30 cards)
When was Japan defeated by the Allies? and what happened to it after
August 1945 Japan surrender following Hiroshima and Nagasaki (250,000 people killed). It is agreed that the USA will have control over Japan and General MacArthur was made governor.
MacArthur:
- Demilitarised Japan
- Broke up the Zaibatsu
- Purged those involved
What was signed between Jiang and Stalin?
August 1945 treaty of friendship and alliance
When did the Second Chinese civil war start and who was involved?
March 1946 second Chinese civil war starts between Jiang Jieshi (Guomindang) and Mao (CCP)
Jiang - Authoritarian state
Mao - Stalinist nationalist
What was the Autumn uprising?
Autumn 1946. Workers strike leads to widespread strike. Rebellion is suppressed by US tanks and troops and results in 250 people being killed.
When did the French war in Indochina start?
December 1946 due to France wanting to regain lost prestige
When was the Japanese constitution introduced?
May 1947 aiming to make Japan a more democratic state:
- Reduce the Emperor’s powers
- Give women the vote
- Abolish slavery
Article 9 - Japan cannot use military force in international affairs
When and what was the Japanese reverse course?
Summer 1947, aiming to make Japan a strong capitalist ally in Asia.
USA gives Japan $500million to boost economic recovery and the zaibatsu are allowed to reunite.
Kennan - a strong Japan and West Germany make them ‘immune to communism’. Aimed to counter soviet power without threatening Western Europe, rebuilt not punished
When was the Jeju uprising in South Korea?
April 1948 - May 1949. Occurred in protest to the division of Korea being cemented. Resulted in 14,000-30,000 being executed
When did Rhee officially become leader of South Korea?
June 1948 Rhee wins election to legitimise position with 13.5% of the votes. Won through violence (600 dead)
When was the Yeosu-Sucheon uprising?
October 1948 against the authoritarian government of Rhee which was backed by the USA. South Korean soldiers took control of the town and executed officials and police, carrying red communist flags. Crushed by Rhee with US support and led to widespread violence.
When did USSR get the atom bomb?
August 1949. USA no longer have nuclear monopoly
Who did Stalin openly support by September 1949?
Stalin openly backed Mao in Chinese civil war, despite wanting a coalition government with Jiang as the senior partner.
Provided:
-800,000 rifles
-14,000 LMGs
-700 vehicles
Who won the Second Chinese civil war?
Mao in October 1949. Declared it the People’s republic of China.
Moment of horror for US government and they were seen weak at opposing communism - McCarthyism
Gaddis ‘China was there for the taking’
Who did Mao sent to Korea?
October 1949 Mao sends 250,000 Koreans from the P.L.A to north Korea
What did Jiang do in December 1949?
Imposes the Guomindang government on Taiwan and establishes an authoritarian state
-140,000 imprisoned
-3,000-4,000 executed
Causes tension as is the permanent member of the UN
What did the USA announce in response to Mao’s victory?
January 1950 Acheson’s defensive perimeter speech which outlined the US sphere of influence in the Pacific which was free from communism. Forgot to mention Korea (Kim believed be could invade)
McCarthyism forcing them to take a harsh stance
What did Mao and Stalin sign and when?
February 1950 signed the Sino-soviet treaty of friendship and alliance.
Gaddis - ‘China was there for the taking’
USA lose ‘our China’, could have had an Asian Tito
What and when was NSC-68? Why was it such a turning point?
NSC-68 published in April 1950.
- Advocated for an immediate and large scale build up of military strength, tripling the defence budget (to $35million)
- Practical extension of the Truman doctrine in Asia, to contain communism
- Justified USA assuming the role of a world policeman for the unilateral defence of the non-communist world
-Remilitarise to prevent any soviet expansion
- Senator Jackson ‘first comprehensive statement of US foreign policy’
Pushed by McCarthyism to take a more active role
By April 1950 how many times had Kim asked Stalin to invade?
48
What happened on 25th June 1950?
Kim il Sung invades South korea crossing the 38th parallel. By the 26th June they have captured Seoul
What does Rhee launch as a result of Kim’s invasion?
June 1950 summer of terror. Rhee kills between 100,000 - 200,000 communists or suspected ones
What does MacArthur do in August 1950?
Lands SK and US troops at Incheon, forcing the north Vietnamese to retreat
What happened by September 1950?
United nations agree to sent troops in aid of south Korea. US key force in driving through. Stalin refused to attend as he wanted Mao as Chinese representative.
When did the UN troops get close to the Yalu river and what was the consequence?
24th November 1950. Mao sees this as threatening and as an opportunity to end the century of humiliation and so China enters on 25th November
