KQ5: How Effectively Did The USA Contain The Spread Of Communism? Flashcards
(23 cards)
What was the significance of the Korean War?
First Cold War conflict with direct combat; first real test of the UN’s power; showed Cold War spreading beyond Europe.
What was the 38th Parallel in relation to the Korean War?
Dividing line between North and South Korea, set in 1945 as boundary between Soviet and American sectors; remained the border after the war.
Why did North Korea invade South Korea in June 1950?
To unify Korea under communism; believed USA wouldn’t intervene; supported by Stalin and Mao; South’s military was weak.
Why did the UN become involved in the Korean War?
To uphold peace and resist aggression; influenced by Truman; USSR was absent to veto; North Korea was seen as an aggressor.
What was the response of the UN to events in Korea in June 1950?
Condemned North Korea’s invasion; called for withdrawal to the 38th Parallel; authorized military intervention led by the USA.
Why did the USA oppose the North Korean invasion of South Korea?
Feared spread of communism (domino theory); protecting Japan; saw invasion as part of Soviet expansion; Truman aimed to roll back communism.
How was the USSR involved in the Korean War?
Stalin supported North Korea’s plan to invade; gave military aid; sought to weaken the USA indirectly; encouraged Mao’s involvement.
What triggered the Korean War?
Syngman Rhee’s threats gave North Korea a pretext; North invaded on 25 June 1950.
Why did the US provide most of the forces in Korea?
Wanted to contain communism; had strong ties with South Korea; felt morally and politically obligated after appealing to the UN.
How did the Korean War unfold (1950–53)?
June–Sept 1950: NKPA invades and nearly takes all of South Korea.
Sept–Nov 1950: UN counterattack at Inchon; pushes NKPA back.
Nov 1950–Feb 1951: China enters; pushes UN forces back.
March 1951–1953: Stalemate around 38th Parallel; ceasefire signed in July 1953.
Why did the Korean War end in stalemate?
Heavy losses on all sides; fear of wider war; UN couldn’t achieve reunification; high civilian casualties; decision to hold position at 38th Parallel.
How successful was the USA’s containment policy in Korea?
Partially successful: stopped communism in South Korea; failed to reunify Korea; criticized for not pushing further; highlighted internal US disagreements.
Was the UN effective in peacekeeping during the Korean War?
Yes: acted swiftly and preserved South Korea.
No: failed to unify Korea as originally intended; hostility remained post-war.
How great a threat was the Korean War to world peace?
High threat: risk of global war due to Chinese entry and Soviet arms.
Limited threat: UN contained conflict; Truman avoided escalation; ceasefire reached by 1953.
What was the background to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Cuba is close to the USA; formerly an American ally; in 1959, Castro overthrew Batista and set up a pro-Communist government. Very popular
How successful was US containment of Cuba (1959–1961)?
Not very; Cuba nationalized US businesses and aligned with the USSR; the Bay of Pigs invasion failed and made the USA look weak.
What interest did the USSR take in Cuba after the Bay of Pigs?
The USSR sent arms, including missiles, to Cuba; by mid-1962 Cuba had the best-equipped army in Latin America with Soviet support.
How did the USA respond to Soviet military assistance for Cuba?
The USA was alarmed; Kennedy warned against Cuba becoming an offensive base; USSR denied sending nuclear weapons.
What did U-2 photographs show in October 1962?
They showed Soviet nuclear missile sites under construction in Cuba; some sites were operational, others nearly ready; 20 Soviet ships were en route.
Why did the USSR place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA, test or trap them, gain an arms race advantage, or defend Cuba.
What were Kennedy’s options in October 1962?
Do nothing, surgical air strike, invade Cuba, apply diplomatic pressure, or impose a naval blockade; Kennedy chose the blockade.
How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?
Kennedy announced the blockade (22 Oct); USSR ships turned back (24 Oct); Khrushchev proposed removing missiles in exchange for US non-invasion pledge; missiles were withdrawn (28 Oct).
What was the result of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Soviet missiles were withdrawn as well as US missiles in Turkey (SECRETLY); Cuba stayed Communist; a hotline was established; 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed; both leaders gained prestige; containment seen as successful.
