Causes of the Korean War

Question 1

How did the US cause the Korean War?

Answer 1

• Truman Doctrine - US provide military and financial aid to countries under threat of a communist takeover
• McCarthy spread fear of ‘reds under the bed’, trials of Hollywood actors

Question 2

How did Korea cause the Korean War?

Answer 2

• Kim Il-Sung invaded the South, had a better military and Soviet weapons
• Frequent skirmishes across 38th parallel
• Il-Sung realised guerrilla warfare wouldn’t be enough to destabilise Rhee’s govt.
• Ideologically divided, both sides wanted to control all of Korea

Question 3

How did China/USSR cause the Korean War?

Answer 3

• USSR boycotted UN security council
• USSR developed nuclear weapons in 1949
• Stalin allowed Il-Sung to invade, doubted US would get involved
• Warsaw Pact formed in response to NATO
• Takeover of E.Europe, rigged elections and murdered opponents
• Supplied N.K weapons
• N.K soldiers experienced from Chinese Civil War