Towards total cold war Flashcards
(9 cards)
What was Truman’s approach to war in Korea?
Truman opted for limited war rather than a total conflict, understanding that escalating the war could bring in the Soviet Union and spread the conflict beyond Korea.
He viewed the Korean War as a localized conflict that should not escalate into a larger, World War II-style total war.
What was the significance of U.S.-China tensions during the Korean War?
The U.S. was on the brink of war with China, but Truman recognized that a full-scale war with China could risk Soviet involvement, making it a limited war.
What role did China play in the Korean War?
Mao Zedong saw U.S. forces approaching China’s border and feared an attempt at “liberating” China.
China’s intervention: In late 1950, China sent its forces into North Korea to confront American and allied troops.
What were the key issues related to the U.S. Democratic Party in 1949?
The Democratic Party was perceived as weak on socialism and had sympathizers with the Soviet Union, largely due to Soviet espionage and spy scandals that had ties to Democrats.
Espionage and the atomic bomb: The Rosenbergs were accused of giving nuclear secrets to the Soviets, leading to public blame on the Democratic Party.
What was the significance of NSC 68 (1950)?
NSC 68 was a key U.S. policy document written by Paul Nitze that emphasized the need for a military buildup to counter the spread of communism.
Kennan’s passive containment policy was seen as insufficient, with NSC 68 advocating for a more aggressive, proactive approach.
It argued that communism was an ideological threat, not just a Soviet one, and could spread worldwide, requiring global intervention.
The document promoted Keynesian economics and the military-industrial complex to fund this increased defense strategy.
What was the role of the thermonuclear bomb in U.S. policy?
Fission: The basic process of splitting an atom to release energy, which formed the basis of the nuclear bomb.
The U.S. feared being under-armed if they didn’t develop thermonuclear bombs (H-bombs), especially after the USSR’s successful test in 1953.
In 1952, the U.S. successfully tested the thermonuclear bomb, intensifying the nuclear arms race.
What were the key causes and events of the Korean War (1950)?
Geopolitical situation: The USSR was close to Korea, and after WWII, Korea was split into North and South along the 38th parallel as part of a Great Power agreement.
Korea’s desire for reunification: Both North and South Korea wanted to reunify, leading to conflict. Kim Il-sung initiated the war by crossing the 38th parallel with North Korean troops.
June 1950: North Korean troops invaded South Korea.
How did the U.S. and the UN respond to the Korean War?
Truman’s political pressure: The U.S. had to act due to domestic political pressures, even though containment might have suggested letting South Korea fall.
UN involvement: Truman used the UN Security Council to form a multinational military force, as the USSR was boycotting the Council and couldn’t veto it.
Successful initial response: The U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia successfully pushed North Korean forces back to the 38th parallel.
What was General MacArthur’s plan in Korea?
MacArthur’s view: He wanted to expand the war into North Korea, potentially aiming for regime change and the complete unification of Korea under a pro-Western government.
Truman disagreed, fearing this could escalate into a larger war with China or the USSR.
