Cold War Asia - Korea Flashcards
(37 cards)
Who controlled Korea during World War Two?
Japan (up until their surrender)
What was the 38th Parallel?
In 1945, Korea was to be occupied by the USSR and USA military forces and divided the country along the 38th Parallel.
Which part did the USSR and USA occupy post 1945?
Soviet occupied North Korea and USA occupied South.
Who were the UN?
The United Nations. An international organisation formed by the West and so the USSR refused to engage in UN discussions.
Elections took place in which part of Korea in 1948?
South Korea, a Republic of Korea was formally established in 1948.
Who was the leader of South Korea?
Syngman Rhee, a staunch anti communist, expatriate who had lived in the USA for forty years before returning to South Korea.
Who were the People’s Committees?
A left wing group who had grown in power after the Second World War, seizing control in the North as a communist group.
Who was the leader of North Korea?
Kim II Sung, a hero of the resistance to the Japanese rule, he had received military training in the USSR.
In what year did the USA and USSR withdraw from Korea?
1949
How did the USA view Korea in 1950?
The USA saw Korea as outside of its defence perimeter and no concern for the US. When asked for help by Rhee, the USA declined.
In 1949 where did fighting take place in Korea?
Along the 38th Parallel, 400 soldiers were killed in May 1949.
Why did the US fear the North’s invasion of the South in 1950?
The US saw the invasion as a direct order from Moscow and an example of further communist expansion.
How many days passed before US intervention after the North invaded the South?
Two days
What happened when the UN called on North Korea to withdraw from the South?
The USSR could veto the UN decision of the Security Council, but this meant the USA dominated the UN and 16 countries sent troops as part of the UN to South Korea.
Why was the USSR unhappy with the United Nations?
China was not allowed to be a part of the UN due to communism, therefore the USSR were unhappy with the UN.
Which countries sent troops as part of the UN to Korea?
USA, Britain, Canada, Turkey and the Philippines ( in total 16 countries).
Who led US troops in Korea?
General Douglas Mac Arthur
Which city did the North push troops towards in June 1950?
Seoul (the capital of South Korea).
As the North took control of the South which group established power?
The People’s Committees.
By September 1950 where had the North Koreans pushed the South Koreans back to?
The city of Pusan
When did the South Korean forces enter North Korea and cross the 38th Parallel?
30th September 1950
What success did Mac Arthur have in 1950?
US troops crossed the 38th Parallel at the end of September 1950. By October 1950 they captured Pyongyang the capital of the North. The North Korean army fled to the mountains. The US marched onto the Yalu River (the Chinese border).
When and why did China enter the war?
On the 27th November 1950, Chinese troops poured into North Korea, after Mac Arthur had talked more about rolling back Communism. 200,000 Chinese troops joined 150,000 North Korean troops and pushed the UN troops back into a retreat.
How did Mac Arthur recommend dealing with the Chinese and North Korean attack.
Atomic Bombs and Nuclear Weapons
