Proxy Wars in Asia Cold war Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is a proxy war?
A proxy war is an indirect conflict where two opposing powers (e.g., USA and USSR) support other nations or groups rather than fighting directly. These wars allowed the Cold War to spread globally without nuclear conflict.
Korean War – Causes and Background
Korea was divided at the 38th parallel after WWII:
North Korea (Kim Il-sung) → Communist, backed by USSR and China
South Korea (Syngman Rhee) → Capitalist, backed by USA
On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea to unify the peninsula under communism.
The USA intervened under the UN flag, following Truman’s containment policy.
Korean War – Key Events
Sept 1950: UN forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, landed at Inchon and pushed North Koreans back.
Oct 1950: China joined the war with 200,000 troops to help North Korea.
April 1951: MacArthur was dismissed after wanting to use nuclear weapons.
1953: Armistice signed at Panmunjom; Korea remained divided.
Vietnam War – Key Events
1965: US troops arrive under President Lyndon B. Johnson
Tactics:
USA: bombing (Operation Rolling Thunder), search and destroy
Viet Cong: guerrilla tactics, jungle warfare, support from Ho Chi Minh Trail
1968: Tet Offensive shocked the US public, showing the war wasn’t close to being won
1973: US withdrawal after Paris Peace Accords
1975: North Vietnam captured Saigon → Vietnam united under communism
Vietnam War – Causes
After French defeat at Dien Bien Phu (1954), Vietnam was divided:
North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) = Communist
South Vietnam (Ngo Dinh Diem) = US-backed, anti-Communist
USA feared the Domino Theory: if one country falls to communism, others would follow.
After the Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964), USA escalated military involvement.
Korean War – Consequences
Around 4 million deaths, mainly civilians.
Korea remained divided and still is today.
Showed the US commitment to containment.
Increased US military spending.
Set the pattern for future proxy wars.
Vietnam War – Consequences
Over 2 million Vietnamese deaths, 58,000 US soldiers killed
Damaged US reputation → loss of confidence in containment
US policy shifted to Vietnamisation under Nixon
Divided public opinion in USA (anti-war movement)
Showed limits of US power
Soviet-Afghan War – Events and US Response
USSR fought Mujahideen rebels in a long guerrilla war
USA supported Mujahideen with money and weapons (including Stinger missiles) via Pakistan
Soviet troops struggled with terrain and guerrilla tactics
Conflict was dubbed the “USSR’s Vietnam”
Soviet-Afghan War – Causes and Background
Communist government in Afghanistan faced opposition from Mujahideen
USSR feared losing influence in the region
Invaded in December 1979 to support the government and suppress rebellion
Marked the end of détente (period of better East–West relations)
Consequences of the Soviet-Afghan War
Over 1 million Afghan deaths, 15,000 Soviet soldiers killed
Huge cost to USSR economy
Helped lead to Gorbachev’s reforms (glasnost, perestroika)
USSR withdrew in 1989
Contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)
