widening of the cold war

• When did North Korea invade South Korea?

  25th June 1950
• What was North Korea's political stance during the invasion?

  North Korea was communist
• What type of regime did South Korea favor?

  Nationalistic but capitalist regime
• What year did the Allied Powers separate North and South Korea?

  1945
• Why did elections for unification never take place in Korea?

  Neither side was willing to submit
• How did both sides of Korea use international tension?

  To gain allies
• Who led North Korea during the Korean War?

  Kim II Sung
• Which countries backed North Korea?

  Communist China and the USSR
• Who led South Korea during the Korean War?

  Syngman Rhee
• What support did South Korea receive during the war?

  Support from the UN and the USA
• What was the role of the UN when the conflict broke out?

  Secured commitment from 16 countries to send troops
• Who led the UN troops in Korea?

  General Douglas MacArthur
• What was the outcome of Operation Chromite?

  South Koreans pushed back North Korean troops
• Why was the success of Operation Chromite easier?

  Stalin refused to send troops
• How many 'volunteer troops' did Mao send to Korea?

  300,000
• What change did Truman make to US policy during the war?

  From containment to destruction of North Korean forces
• What was Truman's intention regarding the war with North Korea?

  To weaken communism in Asia
• What did China do when UN troops approached its border?

  Sent 200,000 troops to North Korea
• What was General MacArthur's controversial suggestion?

  To launch atomic bombs on China
• What happened to General MacArthur in April 1951?

  He was dismissed by Truman
• How many soldiers did the USA provide during the war?

  6 million soldiers
• How many US soldiers were killed in Korea?

  33,000
• What type of military support did the USA send to South Korea?

  Chemical weapons, airpower, tanks, artillery
• What was the situation in early 1951 regarding communist troops?

  Communist troops reached Seoul with 400,000 Chinese troops
• Who replaced General MacArthur?

  General Matthew Ridgway
• What did General Ridgway attempt to do?

  Break the stalemate by bombing the North
• When did peace talks begin during the Korean War?

  July 1951
• Where did the peace talks occur?

  At a teahouse at Kaesong
• What happened to the peace talks in March 1953?

  Stalin died, making peace more likely
• When was the armistice agreed upon?

  27th July 1953
• Who signed the ceasefire agreement?

  China, North Korea, and the USA
• What was South Korea's position on the ceasefire agreement?

  Refused to sign but accepted it
• What are the main causes of the Korean War?

  • North Korea's invasion of South Korea
  • Ideological differences: communism vs. capitalism
  • Division of Korea by Allied Powers in 1945
  • Failure to hold elections for unification
• What were the phases of military action during the Korean War?

  1. Initial invasion by North Korea
  2. Operation Chromite and UN intervention
  3. Chinese intervention and retreat of UN forces
  4. Stalemate at the 38th parallel
  5. Peace talks and eventual armistice
• What were the key international alliances during the Korean War?

  • North Korea: backed by China and USSR
  • South Korea: supported by UN and USA
  • UN troops led by General Douglas MacArthur
• What were the impacts of the Korean War on the USA?

  • Shift in military policy from containment to destruction
  • Significant military casualties and expenditures
  • Increased military presence in Asia
• What were the outcomes of the peace talks in 1953?

  • Armistice signed on 27th July 1953
  • Ceasefire agreement between China, North Korea, and USA
  • South Korea's refusal to sign the agreement
• What was Stalin's initial attitude towards the Korean War?

  He was reluctant to get involved
• Why was Stalin hesitant to support North Korea initially?

  He feared conflict with the USA
• What materials did Stalin decide to provide to North Korea in 1950?

  Artillery and aircraft