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Korean War HL - Coggle Diagram
Korean War HL
reasons for involvement
Korea had been controlled by Japan until the end of the second World War, the USA and USSR agreed to split Korea when the War was over, the USSR would control the north above the 38th parallel and the US the South
lack of agreement for reunification of Korea, establishment of South Korea, led by Synghman Rhee, and North Korea led by Kim Il Sung
- American anti-communism-> the US feared communism a lot and believed it to be a threat to them, they were worried the American economy could be damaged
- World balance of power-> in the summer of 1950 the US believed communism had the upper hand in the balance of power in the World, especially with the loss of Eastern Europe, China had become communist, North Korea attacked South Korea, some historians argue that wanting to be seen as ale to contain communism was the major reason for entering the Korean War
- McCarthyism and domestic political concerns-> Truman vulnerable to be declared responsible for the loss of Chine by Republicans ( not enough aid to opposition) , so Truman needed to be seen as though on communism, elections were also to be held in November 1950, McCarthy accused many people of being communist including politicians
- NSC-68-> National Security Council produced a document with the purpose of suggesting how to handle the communist threat, the document recommended a build-up of conventional forces, to defend its shores, enable limited fighting abroad, raising taxes to fund this, seek Allies and mobilize the American public in a united Cold War consensus
- fears for Japan-> Truman was told that Japan was vital for the West´s defense against communism, Japan would not be lost to Korean communists, Japan´s safety would be jeoparidized if Korea became communist, Japan was an important ally
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impact
Latin America
Colombia
Colombia was the only Latin American country to send troops to fight in the Korean War, they sent 6200 soldiers, sailors and airmen, these suffered heavy losses, Colombia also sent 6 warships
their reasons for helping were anti-communism, economic ties, hopes for US aid, tradition of Colombia and US´s cooperation (the US were one of Colombia´s strongest ties-> coffee)
Colombia strategically important position for the US, near Carribean and Panama canal
Latin America
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the 1951 Mutual Security Act provided Latin America with 38 million dollars to combat communism, its military emphasis helped ensure that the US would rather have stability than democracy-> later we can see the US supporting military dictatorships rather than anyone slightly socialist
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also in the 1953 mutual security programm, Latin America received the least aid/ financing from all the continents
United States
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short term
a poll from 1951 shows that 49 percent of Americansfelt sending troops to Korea had been a mistake.
quite a few Americans like General MacArthur, whose strategy was not containment, but roll-back, when Truman dismissed MacArthur 1951 his approval rating sank
Americans were unhappy with the great losses of the war and the taxes it cost them
there was domestic pressure on Truman to end the Korean War, accept the armistice
Canada
Canada supported the UN in Korea with 27,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen, 3rd biggest provider of fighters after UK and US, Canada had earlier on joined the NATO in 1949 in Canada fear of communism was prevalent after soviet spying missions in Canada
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Pearson encouraged ceasefire negotiations and also did not want China to be condemned the aggressor in the UN, Pearson said that after Korea relations with Washington would not be easy anymore
Pearson hesitated to get involved in Korea, he had his doubts about brinkmanship
throughout the Korean War Pearson tried to be a restraining influence, he did not want the US to invade North, because he feared the Chinese might intervene
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diplomatic/ political outcomes US, the Korean War and Ltain America
hopes for aid from the US were destroyed, as US attention was diverted by the Korean War, they focused on Asia and containment there
1951 Mutual Security Act provided 38 million to Latin America of military assistance, this showed that the US would rather fight communism than preserve democrcy in Latin America
Bolivia-> 1951 the rightist government of Bolivia rejected the results of the election, 1952 this government was overthrown, but Truman refused to recognized the leftist government which had been democratically elected
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possible essay questions
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“The diplomatic and political impact of the Korean War was limited.” Discuss with refernce to two countries
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