War In Asia Flashcards
(19 cards)
What was the policy of containment
America Aimed to contain communism and prevent the spread
What was the Truman doctrine
That if any country was under threat of communism that America would come and help support against it. They believed in the domino theory (if one country was to fall to communism than others would follow.
What is communism
No individual rights
•everything state owned
•country run by the people
What is capitalism
•right to vote
•individualism
•right to vote
Why was the Cold War between the USA and USSR significant
As it meant neither wanted the others ideology to spread and would go to lengths to stop it
Why was nationalism important in the Korean War
As both leaders thought that Korea should be one country again after the Cold War division under their own ideologies
How did china+ ussr help the north
•china had become communist in 1949 meaning they had a new ally
•ussr supported the north with technology and weapons
What happened in the initial north invasion
The north invaded the south 1950 and pushed them all the way down to the Pusan pocket
What was the Inchon invasion
USSR not present at the meeting to veto UN action in Korea (boycotting) so the un invaded at Inchon (western + near Seoul) and push the north forces back. The south then invaded the north
What happened when the south invaded the north
They pushed the north back to the Yalu river. China then get involved (close to china) and send 200,000 troops to push the south back to the 38th parallel where a stalemate was reached
What happened when a stalemate was reached at the 38th parallel
MacArthur ignored Truman and wanted to use nuclear weapons to break through but was sacked by Truman for this
What were the conditions like in 1951-1953 when a stalemate was reached
•harsh conditions
•rocky terrain
•freezing
•widespread bombing with each side balancing each other out
Why were the ussr confident to invade the south
•cracked US codes
•support from china
How did the Korean War “end” 1953
When a ceasefire at Panmunjom was signed which still had the border at the 38th parallel (this agreement is still technically correct today)
Why was a ceasefire signed
•Stalin died leaving the north unsure of USSR support
•high casualties+ harsh conditions- many wanted an end
•Eisenhower (who wanted peace) replaced Truman
•stalemate was reached with neither side likely for a major breakthrough
What were the consequences of the Korean War for the USA/un
•30,000 died
•arms race
•US foreign policies achieved
What are the consequences for the ussr
•gained an ally with china
•an expensive arms race with USA
What are the consequences for china
•500,000 casualties
•ally with ussr
•lost ally with USA
What are the consequences for Korea
•1.5m dead
•borders unchanged still
