Causes of the Korean War

• What were the occupations of North and South Korea after World War 2?

  • North Korea: Occupied by the Soviet Union, supporting communism
  • South Korea: Occupied by the United States, promoting democracy and capitalism
• What was the main cause of Cold War tensions after World War 2?

  Growing tensions between the US and the Soviet Union
• Who were the new leaders of North and South Korea in 1948?

  • North Korea: Kim Il Sung, supported by the Soviet Union
  • South Korea: Syngman Rhee, supported by the US
• What sparked the Jeju Rebellion from April 1948 to May 1949?

  Local resistance to the division of Korea
• How did the South Korean government respond to the Jeju Rebellion?

  They brutally suppressed it
• What was the estimated civilian death toll during the Jeju Rebellion suppression?

  Approximately 30,000 civilians
• How did the Jeju Rebellion impact North and South Korea's divisions?

  It increased divisions between the two Koreas
• How did Kim Il Sung use the Jeju Rebellion to his advantage?

  He claimed the South was illegitimate and corrupt
• What significant event occurred in China in 1949?

  China became a communist nation
• Who led the Communist Party during the Chinese Civil War?

  Mao Zedong
• What was the impact of China's transformation on Kim Il Sung?

  It emboldened him for a possible invasion
• What demand did the USSR make regarding the UN Security Council in 1950?

  To give China's seat to communist leaders
• How did the USA respond to the USSR's demand regarding the UN Security Council?

  They vetoed the demand
• What was the consequence of the USSR leaving the UN Security Council?

  All active members were capitalist
• What year did North Korea become communist?

  1945
• What year did China become communist?

  1949