Korean War Flashcards
(26 cards)
What caused the Korean War?
- It was just an ongoing of the cold war between the USA and USSR.
- war between north and South Korea
- Kim Il sung wanted to unite Korea under communist rule, invasion of South Korea.
- proxy war
Powerful friends (cause)
- Kim support from soviet Chinese leaders, Stalin and Mao Zedong.
- Stalin agreed with the invasion and authorized Kim to attack the South
- Stalin promised to give financial and military support Kim
Military power
- North had significant military advantage over the south
- North Korea supplied with tanks, heavy artillery, and planes by soviet Russia
- South military was weak, Us unprepared to heavily arm Rhee’s ( president of South Korea) regime
US unlikely to intervene
- Stalin, Mao and Kim believed that the US were unlikely to intervene since troops from the south failed to intervene china.
- Soviets had the atom boom in august 1949, made confrontations between the superpowers even likely
- US politicians made public that suggested Korea was not a major American defense priority
- USSR and US both had nuclear weapons, meaning the war would mean mutually assured destruction (MAD)
What was agreed regarding Korea following WWII?
- Ending of the Japanese’s colonial rule of Korea. (1945)
- Division of Korea, Korea temporarily divided along the 38th parallel
- Soviet Union occupied the north
- ## United States occupied the South
What role did the UN play in the Korean War?
- Conductemnation of North Korea’s invasions demanding withdrawals
- first major military actions taken by U.S
- domino theory, stop this
- stop communism
Describe the North Korean attack on South Korea in Jun-September 1950.
- North Korea launched a surprise, full-scale invasion of South Korea across the 38th parallel, the dividing line between the two countries.
- South Korea’s military was smaller, poorly equipped, and lacked heavy weapons or armor
- The United Nations (led by the U.S.) responded quickly, passing resolutions to support South Korea and sending military forces.
-North Korea aimed to militarily conquer South Korea and therefore unify Korea under the communist North Korean regime.
How was the Korean War ended in 1953?
- The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice agreement
- brought about a ceasefire
- established a continued but suspended, state of war.
- military stalemate
Why did the US intervene in the Korean War?
US intervention
- to give economic aid and military support to South Korea
- domino theory: believed that if sk fell to communism, japan would be next. Japan was a vital trade source for US, supplying military, weaponary.
- President Truman’s offered help to any country that was under military threat
What year did the Korean War begin?
1950
What parallel served as the original boundary between North and South Korea?
The 38th parallel
Which country supported North Korea during the Korean War?
China
Which international organization intervened on behalf of South Korea?
The United Nations
What was the capital of South Korea during the Korean War?
Seoul
What was the primary reason for the outbreak of the Korean War?
The invasion of South Korea by North Korea
Who was the President of the United States at the start of the Korean War?
Harry S. Truman
True or False: The Korean War saw the first use of jet fighters in combat.
True
Fill in the blank: The Korean War is often referred to as the ‘___________ War’ due to its Cold War context.
Forgotten
What year did the armistice agreement for the Korean War take place?
1953
What was the name of the North Korean leader during the Korean War?
Kim Il-sung
What was the main objective of the United Nations forces in the Korean War?
To repel the North Korean invasion and restore the sovereignty of South Korea.
Who succeeded General MacArthur as the commander of UN forces?
General Matthew Ridgway
What was the name of the North Korean capital?
Pyongyang
What was the primary reason for the involvement of Chinese troops in the Korean War?
To support North Korea against UN forces.
