Please enable JavaScript.

Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.

case studies during the Cold War, NK winning, SK winning, NK winning,…

- - - - North Korea:
        Soviet Union refused to allow elections to take place in the North, as they wanted to establish their dominance and influence over political and economic developments.
        With Soviet Support, North Koreans established Kim II Sung on 9 September 1948. Soviet Union recognized Kim's governance as the only legislative government in Korea on 12 September 1948 and it was arranged that Soviet forces would withdraw by end-1948.
        Like the Soviets, Kim also believed that the whole Korea should be united under one rule and sought to achieve sole control through the use of violence if necessary
        
        Much like Stalin, Kim used propaganda extensively and promoted a cult of personality.
        The North Korean people greatly respected Kim as their leader. At the same time, he promoted the doctrine of self-sufficiency and isolated North Korea from the rest of the world to limit Western influence
      - South Korea:
        In May 1948, UN commission on Korea held national elections in the South. 80% of eligible population took part in the elections, which was boycotted by the Korean communist.
        The candidates: Syngman Rhee, Kim Koo, Ahn Jao-hong
        
        Syngman Rhee received support from the USA and UN. He was seen as a patriot who had devoted his life to securing Korean independence from the Japanese > suitable candidate
        Rhee and his superiors gained a majority of the votes in the south, and was elected president in August 1948. American forces were to withdraw from South Korea by June 1949
        Contrary to USA's intentions, Rhee's rule proved to be increasingly authoritarian and intolerant of his political opponents, arresting and killing them, very unlike USA. However, USA continued to support Rhee and his government to prevent the spread of communism
  - - - North Korea had been requesting the removal of USSR and USA as early s 1947. It seemed that North Korea did not want foreign interference into the reunification of Korea.
        With Kim's government established, Soviet Union began to withdraw in 1948
        USA withdrew in 1949, leaving a few hundred men in South Korea
        The exit of both superpowers signified that they did not initially intend to be heavily involved in Korean affairs
    - - North Korea:
        Kim actively sought support from Stalin to help North Korea conquer South Korea and unify the 2 halves.
        Stalin was initially reluctant to support Kim as he did not want to risk any military confrontation with USA. However, with China there to help support North Korea's efforts and the chance that USA would not be willing to interfere, Stalin changed his mind.
        He sent Soviet advisors in to train the NKPD, and sent military equipment such as tanks, guns, artillery and fighter planes.
        With rigorous training happening in USSR, and China's military experience from the Chinese Civil War, they now had an advantage over South Korea
      - South Korea:
        USA did not give extensive military aid as they:
        
        more focused on rebuilding Japan, and viewed the situation in Korea as more political than military in nature. > USA thought economic assistance was more effective than military assistance in preventing the spread of communism.
        
        did not want Rhee to start a war
        
        did not want Rhee to think they would support him if a war should break out
    - - 1949 - 1950
        initiated by the South in an attempt to capture territory in the North.
        They attacked and sank most of North Korea's war ships in the west.
        North Korea retaliated by engaging in a fierce fight
        
        Effect:
        
        showed the inability of South Korea's forces to launch successful offensive attacks.
        
        military desertions from the South to the North showed Rhee's regime's unpopularity
        
        USA unwillingly sent over the heavy weapons Rhee demanded.
        
        By 1950, the North was prepared to invade the South and was expecting an easy victory
  - - - Soviet explosion of the atomic bomb:
        August 1949, USSR successfully exploded its first atomic bomb, showing that USSR was not disadvantaged in an event of a war with USA
        unleashed nuclear arms race between the superpowers as they competed against each other for superiority in the development and accumulation of nuclear weapons
        heightened the fear of a possible nuclear war
      - Communist victory in China:
        Chinese Civil War, 1949 marked an important event which would affect the level of communist involvement in Korea.
        Communist victory in China created more favourable international climate for the Soviet Union, and an alliance was quickly formed between Soviet Union and China.
        In 1949, China, North Korea and Soviet Union held a series of meetings regarding military cooperation to support North Korea.
        
        Soviet Union still wanted to support North Korea due to the strategic importance in communist bloc
        
        China saw its presence as important as a buffer zone between them and USA in South Korea
      - Sino-soviet alliance:
        Feb 1950, China and Soviet Union signed Sino-soviet treaty. Both countries promised to come to each other's aid if either country was attacked
        China - Communist victory meant that Mao could assist North Korea should invasion of the south go badly
        Soviet Union - direct intervention and involvement could be avoided
        Soviet Union was more willing to support Kim's ambitions to invade South Korea by 1950s
  - - - Soviet Union provided North Korea with support - organising and training North Korean People's Army (NKPA) from 1948.
        led to North Korea successfully invading and pushing South Korea and UN forces to Pusan
    - - involvement of UN in Korean War:
        USA believed that if UN did not take a strong stand, they would lose all credibility and there would be no way to curb communism in the future.
        25 June 1950, UN security council:
        
        unanimously condemned the North Korean invasion of South Korea
        
        passed a resolution calling North Korea to end hostilities and withdraw back
        
        Truman called to employ the use of force and everyone voted for the action to pass. Because Soviet Union boycotted Security Council, they were unable to vote against it and veto the decision.
        He was able to initiate police action, and with the support of UN, sent American and UN forces to resist the invasion of South Korea
      - Initial success of UN forces:
        E.G. Inchon landing: South Korea had been pushed back to Pusan, the border of SK
        15 September 1950: UN made a daring amphibious landing. Under heavy air bombardment and with their communications cut, North Korea were forced to flee North
    - - 27 September 1950: MacArthur was given permission to enter North Korea, given that China or Soviet Union did not get involved
        Chinese Premier Zhou En-Lai warned that:
        
        should American forces cross the border, they would get involved.
        
        if American forces reached Yalu River, they would be willing to defend their border with Korea at full-scale war
        
        October 1950: Chinese forces begin secretly entering North Korea.
        MacArthur defied Truman and UN's directives and pushed to Yalu River
        led to the Korean war becoming more serious
        Chinese forces caught UN forces off guard and forced them to retreat
      - April 1951: stalemate
        Truman wanted to limit the Korean War, MacArthur wanted to continue, and even invade China. He was prepared to use nuclear weapons if necessary.
        MacArthur publicly criticised Truman's stance and even threatened to destroy the Chinese.
        Truman was furious and dismissed MacArthur fo insubordination (11 April 1951)
        He was replaced with General Matthew Ridgeway
    - - UN, USA, USSR and China all wanted to end the Korean War, especially as USA, UN and China had casualties as a result of it
        The two Korean leaders did not want to end the war until they had achieved reunification of Korea under their own rule
        
        Rhee:
        
        wanted to continue onto Yalu River
        
        UN did not support his decisions
        
        Rhee could not achieve unification without UN's help
        
        Kim:
        
        pressured by China and Soviet Union to attend talks
        
        Without China and Soveit Union, they would not have enough weapons or armed forces > without their help, Kim could not achieve unification
        
        1951 to 1953: Negotiations
        
        both sides had different interests and expectations
        e.g. POWs
        NK wanted their POWs to return to NK
        SK wanted to give them a choice to return or stay
        
        Jan 1953, Truman replaced by Eisenhower
        
        Mar 1953, Stalin passed away
        
        Eisenhower persuaded Rhee to continue with armistice talks
        
        Eisenhower threatened China and North Korea with nuclear war should they not sign the agreement.
        
        27 July 1953: China and North Korea eventually conceded and reluctantly signed the Armistice agreement as the war was taking a toll on their military, economy and human resources.
  - - - June 1950:
        
        NK invaded SK
        
        UN demanded NK cease its invasion
        
        NK ignored and pushed further into SK
        
        Truman committed USA forces to support UN in repelling NK invasion
      - July 1950:
        
        UN joint command created, led by General Douglas MacArthur
        
        USA took command of ground operations in Korea
      - August 1950:
        
        Mao decided that if USA got involved, so would China to protect its border
        
        UN forces outnumbered NK forces in everything but air supremacy
      - September 1950:
        
        MacArthur led UN forces into Ichan landing to regain Seoul
        
        SK entered Seoul
        
        MacArthur given permission to cross the border
        
        Chinese military arrives in NK
      - October 1950:
        
        China stated that if US forces came near the Yalu River border, they would intervene
        
        Soviet Union stated they would provide China with air support should China intervene
        
        Chinese forces enter Korea
      - November 1950:
        
        Truman threatened to use the atomic bomb to prevent communist spread into SK
      - January 1951:
        
        China and NK renewed their offensive. Seoul recaptured and SK and UN forces abandoned it
      - March 1951: MacArthur issued ultimatum to China, threatening to destroy China unless they surrender
        April 1951: MacArthur dismissed by Truan and replaced by Gerneral Matthew Ridge
      - May 1951:
        
        USA resumed attacks towards NK and weakened China
      - June 1951 - July 1953:
        
        Military stalemate, armistice talks stalled due to disagreements of terms
      - January 1953: Eisenhower replaced Truman
        March 1953: Stalin passed away: NK, China agreed on exchange of POWs with UN forces in SK
      - April 1953: Armistice talks continued
        July 1953: armistice signed
- - - - Vietnam:
        North and South Vietnam continued to be at war to reunify the country
        
        USA supported South Vietnam
        
        Soviet Union supported North Vietnam
      - Cuba:
        Cuban exiles in USA launched a military operation (Bay of Pigs) to overthrow Castro
        
        USA supported Bay of Pigs
        
        Soviet Union developed good relations with Cuba and placed missiles there
- - - - Cubans resented the economic dominance of USA over Cuba.
        They heavy reliance on sugar for economic growth made the Cuban economy vulnerable to sudden and drastic changes in price of sugar
        most sugar and tobacco plantations were owned by wealthy Cubans who worked with American investors
        this caused a large economical gap between the small minority of rich Cubans and the majority of poor Cubans
  - - - Relationship with USA: worsened
        
        USA frequently intervened in Cuba's politics
        e.g. 1912: American ambassador became de facto proconsul and took charge of the country, even conspiring with Cuban generals to overthrow the Cuban president
        = Cuban nationalists resented American "puppet presidents" to guide its own interests in Cuba
      - Relationship with USSR: -
    - - Relationship with USA: ?
        
        Batista gradually lost the support of USA due to his oppressive ruling
        
        Castro, Cuban exile, returned to Cuba and became popular among the Cubans and eventually came to power when Batista fled to USA
        
        USA feared Castro was a communist, even though he did not identify as one
      - Relationship with USSR: -
    - - Seeking new markets for Cuba
        
        Relationship with USA: worsened
        
        USA perceived Cuba's trade relations with USSR as a sign that Cuba was siding with communism
        
        Relationship with USSR: strengthened
        
        Soviets agreed to buy 1/2 million tonnes of sugar while in Cairo, Egypt
        
        Castro and Khrushchev agreed that a Soviet trade exhibition would go to Cuba, and the Russians would buy a million tonnes of sugar over 5 years
        
        During the exhibition in Feb 1960, Castro and the Soviets agreed to trade more Cuban sugar for Soviet oil
      - Land Reform Law
        
        Relationship with USA: worsened, becoming enemies
        Castro wanted to break up the largest private estates in Cuba and redistribute them to the poorer farmers
        
        USA saw this as Castro heading in a communist direction
        
        concern as many of the large properties were American owned or owned by pro-American Cubans, and USA's business and economy would be affected
        
        Relationship with USSR: -
    - - Relationship with USA: great displeasure, full on enemies
        
        Khrushchev had gained to support of many others after his meeting with Castro
        
        made USA look inferior
      - Relationship with USSR: strengthened further, besties
        
        Khrushchev was intrigued in Cuba's overtures to the Soviet Union and decided to visit Castro in his Harlem hotel
        Harlem had a large population of African-Americans, who were discrimintated against by USA
        
        Khrushchev championed the rights of African-American, insulted and provoked USA, who did not want to grant these rights
        
        Khrushchev looked to be more willing to find world peace, and made USA look like the bad guy
  - - - April 1960: American government told its oil companies not to process and refine Cuba's 300 000 tonnes of oil that were to be sent to Soviet Union
        July 1960: USA reduced Cuban sugar quota from 3 million tonnes to 700 000 tonnes.
        However, Soviet Union and China stepped in and offered to buy the surplus sugar
        
        Castro nationalised American proterties, which caused USA great alarm and was seen as an act of war
        
        economic clashes prompted Castro to defend the Cuban Revolution as a nationalistic struggle against foreign aggression, justified due to USA's economic exploitation of Cuba
        
        November 1960: USA placed an embargo on American exports to Cuba on everything but food and medicine (to emphasise the campaign was against the Cuban government, not the people)
        The embargo was ineffective as Soviet Union stepped in and fulfilled Cuba's economic needs.
        In the first year, the communist Eastern European countries agreed to buy 4 million tonnes of sugar, more than USA had been buying
        this allowed Castro to continue to his programme of land reformation and nationalisation without fear of American economic sanctions
    - - Bays of Pigs invasion:
        17 April 1961: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) trained Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. However, Castro was prepared for the invasion, and the invading forces were subdued within 2 days
        The invasion was a military disaster and a diplomatic fiasco.
        Kennedy protested that he had no control over Cuban exiles, hence his hands were clean. However, it was clear that USA had supplied the planes and weapons, and assisted in the logistical planning
        USA was humiliated while Khrushchev and UN were angry and surprised
        In addition, rather than weakening the regime in Havana, the invasion had provided Castro with an opportunity to crack down on his opponents
      - Operation Mongoose:
        USA was even more determined to remove Castro after the failed Bay of Pigs
        
        Operation Mongoose: CIA operation which consisted of various intelligence operations such as sabotaging important Cuban industries, and even assassination attempts on key Cuban political leaders, including Castro
  - - - Soviet:
        Khrushchev decided to take the defense of Cuba to another level and the Soviet Ambassador asked Castro to accept nuclear missiles in Cuba
        considerations that influenced Khrushchev:
        
        Political Gains:
        
        could allow Khrushchev to use ally as leverage to demand further concessions regarding the status of West Berlin, which he wanted to integrate with communist East Germany
        
        successful defense of Cuba could increase Khrushchev's prestige amongst the communist bloc, especially with China challenging Soviet leadership
        
        Military and Strategic Gains:
        
        placing missiles in Cuba meant that a greater number of missiles could reach USA
        (narrows the missile gap as Soviet missiles were not able to reach the USA from the USSR, unlike USA's missiles)
        
        could counter the threat of Jupiter missiles stationed in Turkey by the USA
        
        could enable the Soviet Union to secure a base geographically close to USA, which it previously did not have
        
        could repel advancing naval vessels and target cities in mainland USA from Cuba > achieving a greater deterrent against the American nuclear threat
        
        Even though it was legal under international law, the deployment of nuclear missiles to Cuba was done by the Soviets secretly.
        They hoped to present USA with a fait accompli, believing that USA would not be willing to provoke a conflict once the nuclear missiles were deployed to Cuba
      - Cuba:
        Castro wanted to work with the Soviet Union to secure a public defense treaty to use as a deterrent against USA
        Castro believed it would guarantee Soviet protection of Cuba and greatly boost the defense of Cuba.
        Castro was convinced that after the Bay of Pigs, USA would launch a large-scale invasion on Cuba
  - - - options for responding to the missile deployment in Cuba:
        19 Oct 1962: Kennedy tasked the Ex-Com with deciding on either an air strike or a blockade. They initially agreed on an air strike, but later changed their minds and went with a blockade as they believed it would buy USA more time
        
        Do Nothing: NOT AN OPTION
        +(pos) USA could accept the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba to avoid further humiliation after the Bay of Pigs invasion
        
        -(neg) but the missiles would:
        
        threaten USA's domestic security
        
        threaten Kennedy's political position
        
        undermine the credibility of USA amongst its allies
        
        Use diplomatic measures:
        
        +(pos):
        
        peaceful option: USA could apply diplomatic pressure on Khrushchev or negotiate to remove the missiles > no war
        
        UN may ask Cuba to remove the missiles > avoids war and disputes
        
        USA takes the moral high ground
        
        -(neg):
        
        UN may be divided and decide not to do anything
        
        May rebut that USA has missiles in Turkey too > UN would not take any action
        
        USA's willingness to openly negotiate with the Soviets might be seen as a sign of weakness by USA's allies
        
        Diplomatic measures does not stop USSR directly and is slow > NOT EFFECTIVE
        
        Approach Castro:
        
        +(pos):
        
        USA could approach Castro directly and ask him to reject Soviet missiles
        
        -(neg):
        
        act of war against USSR
        
        American-Cuban relations had broken down so far that Cuba would not trust USA and would turn their back on the Soviets
        
        Approaching Castro would be a faliure
        
        Invade Cuba:
        
        +(pos):
        
        USA invading Cuba could allow them to remove Soviet missiles and overthrow Castro
        
        -(neg):
        
        act of war
        
        Soviet Union would defend Cuba > lead to Soviet forces in Cuba > none of the Soviet missiles destroyed
        
        give Soviet Union an excuse to attack West Berlin
        
        Invading Cuba results in war
        
        Launch an air strike:
        
        +(pos):
        
        USA would launch an air strike against the known missiles sites to try to destroy them
        
        -(neg):
        
        Act of war
        
        No possibility that all the missiles would be destroyed
        
        USA does not know if all the missile sites had been identified > remaining missiles could be used against USA
        
        Launching an air strike results in war
        
        Impose naval blockade:
        
        +(pos):
        
        USA could impose a naval blockade to prevent further importing and development of Soviet 'offensive weaponry'
        
        Buy the USA more time to access the strength of Soviet forces and negotiate with Khrushchev
        
        -(neg):
        
        Act of war > trigger a full-scale conflict between the USA and Soviet Union
        
        Imposing a naval blockade results in war
      - kennedy's strategy of brinkmanship:
        20 Oct: reported that Soviet missiles were already operational in Cuba and could be launched against cities in eastern part of USA within 8 hours
        once military action was ruled out, Kennedy had to find other ways of preventing further Cuban armament and convince the Soviets to remove the missiles
        22 Oct: Kennedy declared his strategy through a televised address and announced his discovery of the missiles to the public, and demanded that Soviet leaders remove them. He also announced a blockade around Cuba (6).
        At the same time, American forces were deployed to Florida
    - - Khrushchev:
        outraged and shocked
        he condemned the blockade as an illegal act of war against Cuba and insisted that the Soviet Union would ignore it
        Khrushchev wrote to Castro, assuring hime that the USSR would not waver its support to Cuba
        Soviet ships returned to the USSR or were urged to reach their destination quicker.
        Soviet forces in Cuba were on high alert, but forbidden from using nuclear missiles.
      - Castro:
        ordered the mobilization of his forces and around 300 000 Cubans were armed
        In a speech on 23 Oct, he publicly declared his readiness to die fighting
  - - - Soviet Union
        
        Soviet Union were relieved that USA had not opted for an immediate invasion of Cuba
        
        Khrushchev reflected and understood that sending the missiles did not protect Cuba and increased the likelihood of war
        
        he sent a letter to Kennedy offering to withdraw the missiles, in exchange for USA's promise not to invade Cuba
        
        USA
        
        Kennedy received the letter with relief that the Soviets wanted to avoid war
        
        However, intelligence reports showed that construction of the missile sites were still underway, alongside the mobilisation of Cuban forces
    - - reaction to 1st letter:
        
        Khrushchev was worried over the lack of immediate response by the Americans, which led Khrushchev to take a harder line against Kennedy
        
        he considered that USA had not acted on his letter and might be willing to negotiate
        
        this was encouraged by intelligence reports that Americans might be willing to trade the removal the Jupiter missiles in Turkey for those in Cuba
        
        2nd letter:
        27 Oct, Khrushchev sent another letter suggesting such trade
        Kennedy was alarmed by the second letter as it showed that Khrushchev might be adopting the strategy of brinkmanship himself
        Ex-com decided to respond only to Khrushchev's first letter on the 26th, ignoring the 2nd
        
        Castro continued preparations for war, believing that American attack was on the way.
        He wrote Khrushchev a letter on 26 Oct, arguing for a first strike against the USA
    - - Kennedy and Khrushchev were both alarmed by this development, and concerned about their lack of direct control over their military commanders > adds more pressure on both leaders to resolve the crisis as soon as possible
        
        Now:
        Kennedy is willing to make the deal with Khrushchev, that included removing the Jupiter missiles in Turkey (bc missiles were obsolete and unreliable)
        Turkey opposed the deal and believed their removal would compromise its own security
        Kennedy did not want to go to war with a fellow country a part of NATO
        USA made a deal with the Soviet ambassador that the missiles would be removed in secret
  - - - time allowed for both sides to cool down and consider their responses
        
        Kennedy and Ex-com did not want to take swift military action despite fears of a Soviet first strike
        
        imposition of the blockade 2 days after its announcement also gave Khrushchev time to consider his response
      - both leaders were aware of the consequences of nuclear war
        
        Both Khrushchev and Kennedy recognised the dangers of nuclear war and the prospect of Mutually Assured Destruction, and pursued diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis
        
        Both leaders ignored the brash confidence of their military commanders who advocated that war was the best way to go
      - both leaders understood each other's personal concerns and allowed for a face-saving way out
        
        Kennedy's party was facing mid-term elections in Congress, while Khrushchev was facing hardliners in the Communist Party who threatened to overthrow him if he made the Soviet Union appear weak
        
        Kennedy needed the Jupiter missiles deal to remain secret to not be seen as bowing under pressure to the Soviet Union, while Khrushchev needed a promise from the USA not to invade Cuba
        Both leaders recognised the implications that their handling of the crisis had on their personal and national power and prestige, and agreed to allow for a face-saving way out of the crisis
    - - Kennedy:
        British Prime Minister publicly supported Kennedy's decision for a blockade, but privately urged greater caution (pointing out that the Europeans had lived with the threat of Soviet missiles for years and from the European POV, USA had overreacted)
        
        public opinion:
        American public were alarmed at the prospect that they could all be killed in a matter of days. They held demonstrations, urging Kennedy to be careful in handling the crisis.
        Prominent figures acted as mediators between the USA and the Soviet Union during the crisis, urging them to avoid the war
      - Khrushchev:
        Khrushchev faced immense pressure from Soviet allies to take military action against USA.
        Castro urged Khrushchev to stand firm, declaring his people would die for Cuba.
        The People's Republic of China also adopted a similar stance, with Mao promising Castro that millions of Chinese were prepared to fight for their fellow communist.
        This caused Khrushchev to be even more fearful of going to war with USA, which would result in a global nuclear war
        
        public opinion:
        Soviet public viewed the crisis as merely another possible war in their long history of conflict
  - - - Reputation of leader:
        Kennedy:
        
        courageous for standing up against Khrushchev and making him back down
        
        successfully stood up against hardliners within the government, enabling him to pursue his plans for nuclear disarmament
        
        Khrushchev:
        
        lost prestige within the USSR, as many saw the Soviet government as compromising too much during negotiations, and made Soviet Union appear weak
        
        Castro:
        
        continued to be seen as a national hero by Cubans, and remained in power
      - Relations with its allies:
        USA:
        
        Britain saw USA's objection to the deployment of Soviet missiles to Cuba as unreasonable
        
        Many NATO states did not approve of the removal of Jupiter missiles in Turkey as USA did not consult them before making that decision
        
        USSR:
        
        Cuba viewed the resolution of the crisis as a betrayal as they were not consulted in the crisis negotiations
        
        Sino-Soviet relations broke down as China accused the Soviet Union of backing down in the crisis
        
        Cuba:
        
        continued to be a Soviet ally despite the deterioration of relations with the Soviet Union
      - Security Concerns:
        USA:
        
        had to accept the fact that a communist Cuba remained in its backyard
        
        USSR:
        
        threat of Jupiter missiles was removed
        
        Cuba remained communist and proved to be a valuable ally to the Soviet Union in the Americas
        
        Cuba:
        
        lost nuclear protection as a result of the removal of all the Soviet nuclear missiles
        
        protected from a possible American invasion, but still remained highly armed to prepare for any possible future invasions by the USA
    - - Kennedy and Khrushchev recognised that the lack of direct and confidential communication between the superpowers had been a major factor in the escalation of the conflict of possible nuclear war
        
        reasons for hot line:
        
        communicating via televised broadcasts, letters, newspaper columns and other potentially unreliable intermediaries was risky when quick decisions and honest information were needed
        
        leaders of the superpowers needed to know each other's intensions in a crisis rather than making guesses based on various sources
        
        Moscow-Washington hot line established to facilitate direct communication between leaders