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The Korean War - Coggle Diagram
The Korean War
Involvement of ___
USA
- Convinced North Korea was influenced by Soviet Union to launch attack
- Truman believed this invasion was a step in Stalin's master plan to spread communism
- Worried that if south Korea fell to communism, so would other Asian countries
Involvement essential for success of global containment
UN
If UN doesn't take a firm stance on Korea, it will lose its credibility and there would be no way to check further communist aggression
USA rapidly mobilised UN to support South Korea
- UN Security Council condemned North Korean invasion
- Passed resolution calling upon North Korea to end hostilities. Truman called UN to use force as North Korea did not respond to resolution
- 16 member states contributed to Un forces
- Soviet Union boycotting UN at the time as Taiwan was given a seat. Missed chance to veto
China
As UN forces moved further into North Korea, they were moving closer to its border with China
- MacArthur granted permission to push further into North Korea as long as Soviet or Chinese forces did not enter
- Chinese Premier warned that China will intervene if American forces cross the 38th parallel
- Also warned that they would not hesitate to defend its border and risk a full scale war if American forces advanced towards Yalu River
(proximity of American military to Chinese territory perceived as security threat)
- Chinese forces began secretly crossing into North Korea
- MacArthur defied directives and continued to push towards Yalu River
- Enlarged scale of the war and Chinese forces responded and caught UN forces by surprise
Post war negos
- Korea divided into 2 zones
- agreed that Korea should be unified under one provisional gov
- But no agreement on how to unite and administer it
South - USA
Syngman Rhee
democratic but authoritarian
- USA stills supported him even though they did not like that he was authoritarian
- Rhee willing to use force if necessary
- USA thought he was rash and could involve them in an undesired war
- Provided economic and military aid
- Equipped with light/limited weapons
Initially, Korea not as strategically important to Western bloc. Other areas more impt:
- Japan (WW2, rebuild)
- Taiwan (KMT, base)
- Philippines (economic interests, independence)
Pressure to do more to prevent spread of communism:
- Communist China tip in balance of power
- NSC-68 (Soviet Union set against USA)
North - Soviet Union
Did not allow elections (wanted to establish dominance and influence)
Kim Il Sung
- Used propaganda extensively
- Promoted self-sufficiency
- isolated North to limit influence of west and opposition
- Kim cultivated ties with Soviet Union and China
- Persuaded Stalin to provide support to rebuild North and wage war against South
- Provided economic and military aid
- Heavily equipped with Soviet tanks and artillery
- Direct intervention avoided
Korea important to the communist bloc
- Only close ally in Asia-Pacific was China
- Soviet Union want to support North Korea due to its strategic importance to communist bloc
- Close proximity to Soviet Union, China, and other countries in Asia-Pacific
- Platform to spread ideology, counter balance American influence in Japan
- They also successfully tested a-bomb so USA could not use atomic diplomacy as a threat anymore
Initially, Stalin reluctant to support Kim as he did not want to be directly involved.
but
- Communist victory in China
- More favourable international climate
- Sino-Soviet Treaty alliance
- Chinese perceived involvement as important. Buffer zone against American forces
- Looked like Korea was excluded from USA's defensive perimeter in Asia
- not likely to get involved
Gave Stalin the confidence to change his mind
-
USA focused on rebuilding Japan
viewed situation in Korea as more political than military in nature
Cautious not to equip extensive military capabilities
- Prevent Rhee from launching military offensive
- did not want to give impression that they would help in war
Stalemate & Armistice
MacArthur's dismissal
- Truman wished to limit the war even if it meant accepting the division of Korea, But MacArthur wanted to continue and was prepared to invade China
- UN knew if they attacked China, USSR will get involved and nuclear blabla
- MacArthur publicly criticised Truman's stance and threatened to destroy China
He was dismissed for insubordination
Armistice talks
- USA, UN, China suffered heavy casualties and sought a resolution
- North and South Korean leaders did not want to end until Korea was unified
- Rhee's ambitions not supported by UN
- Kim pressured by Soviet Union and China to participate in talks
- Both could not fight without superpower's help
Did not go smoothly.
- disagreements on where Korea should be divided and what would happen to the POWs
Communists:
- wanted all North Korean POWs to return
- wanted division at 38th parallel
UN and South:
- wanted POWs to be given the choice
- wanted division along battle lines
Eisenhower persuaded Rhee to sign the armistice and threatened China and North Korea with nuclear weapons
Armistice was signed as the war was taking a toll on military, economic, and human resources
Border clashes
Initiated by South
Provoked retaliation of the NKPA
Results showed:
- Inability of South Korean forces to launch successful attacks
- Unpopularity of Rhee's regime
Now USA more reluctant to send heavy weapons that Rhee was demanding