Korea

• Neither leader in Korea had been elected nor did either recognise the legitimacy of the other
• In June 1950, with the support of China and the Soviet Union, North Korea launched an attack on South Korea across the 38th parallel
• Why did the USSR get involved in the Korean War?

  It was part of Soviet ideology to spread communism which is what Kim Il Sung was trying to do. Stalin wanted to see communism expand as long as he did not get involved in a 'hot war' with the USA. Stalin wanted to avoid Korea becoming a Chinese satellite state.
• Why did China get involved in the Korean War?

  China feared an American invasion. North Korea as a communist country provided a buffer zone for China.
• Role of China in the Korean War

  MacArthur and the UN forces crossing the 38th parallel worried China. The Chinese issued a warning to the UN but this was ignored. MacArthur continued to push the UN troops into North Korea as far as the border with China. China responded to the approaching UN force by sending over 250,000 Chinese "volunteers" into North Korea. These volunteers helped to push the UN forces back across the 38th parallel.
• Role of the USSR in the Korean War

  Despite its denials at the time, the Soviet Union was intimately involved in the Korean War. It provided 'advisors' medical services, weapons and MiG-15 fighter jets. Soviet pilots also flew aircraft with Chinese or North Korean markings.
• In June 1950, with the support of China and the Soviet Union, North Korea launched an attack on South Korea across the 38th parallel.


  when did North Korea attack?
• Why did Sung believe the South would be relieved and welcome North Koreans?


  Rhee was a corrupt and unpopular leader, dictatorial manner
• Whats the background to the invasion?

  After World War Two, Korea had been divided at the 38th parallel into the Soviet-backed communist North Korea, led by Kim Il Sung, and non-communist, American-backed South Korea under the leadership of Syngman Rhee.
• June 1951: communists were eventually driven back to the 38th parallel. War became a stalemate then took to the skies, USSR and USA fought for a further two years.

  The Soviet pilots were dressed in Chinese uniforms flying planes with Chinese markings. November 1952: Eisenhower became US president.

  July 1953: An armistice (a formal agreement made by groups or countries at war to stop fighting) was signed at Panmunjom on the 38th parallel, which left Korea divided as it had been in 1950, and still is today.
• The USA sent troops and appealed to the United Nations for help. UN Security Council agreed to send troops.


  July 1950
• UN forces, led by the American General MacArthur, landed in Inchon and quickly pushed the North Koreans back over the 38th parallel. By October 1950, they had almost rolled back the communists to the Yalu River.


  September 1950
• China invaded (didn't want US-backed state on its border) Korea and drove the UN forces back below the 38th parallel. General MacArthur called for the use of atomic weapons to defend Korea but Truman denied and sacked MacArthur.


  October 1950
• What’s an armistice?


  Formal agreement made by groups of countries at war to bring stop fighting
• Why did the USA get involved in Korean War?

  1. USA believed it could win and that China would not intervene
  2. The advance of communism elsewhere made USA.more determined
  3. USA didn’t just want to contain communism but wanted policy of rollback as they wanted to prevent a domino effect
  4. the Truman Doctrine (promised to help countries threatened by communism)
  5. Stop Stalin as they believed USSR was behind Korean War
• What impact did Truman doctrine have on USA involvment 


  promised to help countries threatened by communism