Establishing Communist Rule - Korean War

Question 1

Context of the Korean War

Answer 1

• end of WW2 Korea divided along 38th parallel into north and south
• North Korea launched attack on southern enemy
• UN force made up of soldiers of 16 nations ordered to defend South Korea
• UN forces advanced towards Chinese border, PLA ordered to attack UN forces
• war dragged on for 3 years ending in stalemate

Question 2

How did the Korean War enhance CCP control - ‘resist American, aid Korea’

Answer 2

• used war to accuse enemies of being spies
• 135,000 official executions during first half of 1951
• collective spirit forged in mass meetings that whipped hatred for the US
• posters put up showing senior American officials as vampires

Question 3

How did the Korean War enhance CCP control - model soldier hero

Answer 3

• Chinese people bombarded with propaganda tales of PLA bravery
• one Chinese lady so impressed with the stories she donated a whole weeks wages to the war effort
• farmers pledged to increase production and donate surplus crops to troops
• patriotic workers campaigns ‘our factory is our battlefield and our machines are our weapons’

Question 4

How did the Korean War enhance CCP control - international prestige

Answer 4

• Mao had proved the west to be ‘paper tigers’
• showed China no longer a nation to be exploited or bullied
• Mao proved to be a tough leader who would assist allies against even the strongest nations

Question 5

Impacts of the Korean War - republic of China

Answer 5

• China forced to accept presence of Taiwan
• US seventh fleet patrolled Taiwan
• if Mao’s forces attacked Taiwan they would be easily defeated
• reunification became impossible - a big blow to Chinese national pride

Question 6

Impact of the Korean War - relations with the west

Answer 6

• Chinese intervention reinforced US mistaken belief of communist plan for global conquest
• Chinese seen as accomplices in Stalin’s evil communist empire
• US commitment to policy of containment caused military spending to reach $50 billion a year

Question 7

Impact of the Korean War - relations with the Soviet Union

Answer 7

• Korean War left China on Russian side of the civil war
• Mao succeeded in impressing Stalin
• PRC became totally dependant on Soviet economic aid and advice

Question 8

Impact of the Korean War - personal cost to Mao

Answer 8

• Mao’s son Anying, who Mao was very close to, was killed during an attack on PLA headquarters
• Mao urged his son to go to Korea
• Anying considered the one remaining person who could really unlock Mao