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THE KOREAN WAR2.1 How did tensions within Korea become part of the Cold War?
CONTEXT TO THE KOREAN WAR Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910 and
made part of the Japanese Empire until Japanese surrender in 1945
Potsdam Conference: Korea to be divided into 2 occupation zones along the 38th parallel USSR occupy north USA occupy south To be temporary until elections held for
united Korean government From 1946-47, the USA and the USSR
met several times but no agreement could be reached
In 1947, the UN called for free elections to be held in Korea to establish the government of a united Korea…
FORMATION OF THE TWO KOREAS May 1948, national elections
were held in the south which were boycotted by the communists
Syngman Rhee was elected USSR refused to allow elections
in the north Kim Il Sung was named first
President of North Korea Both sides recognized each as
the only legitimate government of Korea.
FORMATION OF TWO KOREAS
South Korea Leader: Syngman Rhee Won the elections and appointed
President Had the support of the US Highly authoritarian and violent Wanted to unify Korea under his
rule
North Korea Leader: Kim Il Sung Appointed as the ‘Great Leader’ by the
USSR Had the support of the USSR Highly authoritarian and violent Wanted to unify Korea under his rule
Why did the Korean War break out?
1. Both Korean Leaders desired
Unification
2. Soviet support for North Korea’s
invasion
3. Military and Strategic imbalance
between North and South Korea
1. BOTH KOREAN LEADERS DESIRED UNIFICATION Rhee wanted to unify Korea under his rule Ask the USA for help USA thought Rhee was rash and might
involve the USA in another war Provided only economic aid and limited
military aid to Rhee Equipped S.Korean Army with only light
weapons
1. BOTH KOREAN LEADERS DESIRED UNIFICATION Kim also wanted to unify Korea under his
rule Ask the USSR for help Made several trips to the USSR to persuade
Stalin Stalin agreed to provide military and
economic support However, Stalin did not want any direct
involvement in Korea as he did not want a war between the USSR and the USA
As a result, the N.Korean Army was better equipped than the S.Korean Army
LINK The hostility between Rhee and Kim reduced any possible form of peaceful
reunification and increased the possibility of a war. It was now only a matter of time before war broke out.
2. SOVIET SUPPORT FOR N. KOREA’S INVASION Stalin did not want and direct involvement in Korea
But he changed his mind because of 2 reasons:
Soviet Explosion of the Atomic Bomb
Communist victory in China
SOVIET EXPLOSION OF THE ATOMIC BOMB In Aug 1949, the USSR successfully
exploded its first atomic bomb This created atomic parity with the
USA Stalin could now support N.Korea
without the fear of American threat (Link)
*Atomic Parity: Both USA and USSR now have the ability to produce an atomic bomb
COMMUNIST VICTORY IN CHINA China became communist under Mao
Zedong when he won the Chinese Civil War in 1949
A communist China meant that there was an ally for the USSR in Asia
China viewed N.Korea as important as a buffer against American forces in S.Korea
Sino-Soviet Alliance Both China and USSR promised to come to
each other’s aid if either is attacked China could assist N.Korea USSR avoid direct involvement and
more willing to supply N.Korea (Link)
3. MILITARY AND STRATEGIC IMBALANCE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREANorth Korea
• Support from Stalin and Mao• Soviet and China provided a lot
of resources to prepare for invasion of South Korea
South Korea
• USA only provided light weapons to South Korea• South Korea not included in the
American Defence Perimeter
DAVE ACHESON’S SPEECH ON DEFENCE PERIMETER (PG44 SOURCE 2.3)“The defensive perimeter runs from the Ryukyus (Japanese islands) to the Philippine Islands. Our relations, our defensive relations with the Philippines are contained in agreements between us. Those agreements are being loyally carried out and will be loyally carried out. Both peoples have learned by bitter experience the vital connections between our mutual defense requirements. We are in no doubt about that, and it is hardly necessary for me to say an attack on the Philippines could not and would not be tolerated by the United States. But I hasten to add that no one perceives the imminence of any such attack.So far as the military security of other areas in the Pacific is concerned, it must be clear that no person can guarantee these areas against military attack. But it must also be clear that such a guarantee is hardly sensible or necessary within the realm of practical relationship.Should such an attack occur—one hesitates to say where such an armed attack could come from—the initial reliance must be on the people attacked to resist it and then upon the commitments of the entire civilized world under the Charter of the United Nations which so far has not proved a weak reed to lean on by any people who are determined to protect their independence against outside aggression.”
Draw out Acheson’s Defence Perimeter.
WHAT CAN YOU INFER FROM SPEECH?
HOW DOES THIS LEAD TO THE KOREAN WAR? N.Korea wanted to invade S.Korea but Stalin was reluctant as he did not
want to fight with the USA This changed when China became a communist ally of the Soviet Union
and N.Korea Stalin could now depend on China in helping N.Korea to fight the war Dean Acheson left out S.Korea in his defense perimeter speech This showed that the USA will not support S.Korea should the N.Koreans
attack
WHY DID THE KOREAN WAR BREAK OUT1. Both Korean Leaders desired Unification
hostility between Rhee and Kim reduced any possible form of peaceful reunification and increased the possibility of a war.
2. Soviet support for North Korea’s invasion Soviet atomic parity China communist No direct involvement against the USA
3. Military and Strategic imbalance between North and South Korea Support from Stalin and Mao VS lack of support from the US Acheson’s Defense Perimeter Speech