Chapter 18 Section 2
The Cold War Heats Up
Civil War in China
• During WWII- A Japanese invasion interrupted a long Chinese Civil War
• Communists vs. Nationalists
Civil War in China
• US begins aiding Nationalists during WWII
Civil War in China
• US military officials didn’t like Chiang
• Found his govmt dictatorial, inefficient, and hopelessly corrupt
Civil War in China
• collected a grain tax from farmers during a famine
Civil War in China
• Communists skillful in winning support of the peasants
Fighting Breaks Out
• As soon as Japanese left China-civil war resumed
Fighting Breaks Out
• Truman refused to commit American soldiers
Fighting Breaks Out
• Nationalist problems:
Fighting Breaks Out
• May 1949-
America Reacts to Communist Takeover
• American public stunned
• Containment failed
America Reacts to Communist Takeover
• State Department said the only way to help the Nationalists was to go to war
• A war the US wasn’t prepared to fight– Most people accepted
this reasoning– Some rejected it as
lame excuses
America Reacts to Communist Takeover
• Many claimed the US “lost” China
Koreans go to War
• Japan ruled Korea until 1945
Koreans go to War
• 38th parallel not intended as a permanent boundary
• 2 different nations emerged-one communist, one not
Koreans go to War
• North becomes Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• Headed by Kim Il Sung
North Korea Attacks South Korea
• June 25, 1950 North invades South-Begins Korean War
North Korea Attacks South Korea
• June 27, 1950-UN pledges to help South Korea
US Fights in Korea
• NK unstoppable at 1st
MacArthur’s Counterattack
• MacArthur launches counterattack
• Sept 15, 1950 UN troops land at Inchon
MacArthur’s Counterattack
• Many NK troops surrendered
• Many fled back behind 38th parallel
MacArthur’s Counterattack
• China warned that they would not stand by and let the Americans come to the border-the Yalu River
The Chinese Fight Back
• 11/25/1950- 300,000 Chinese move into NK
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
• Calls for extension of war into China-to end the stalemate
• Blockade Chinese coast
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
• Truman rejects MacArthur’s request
• Didn’t want US involved in a massive land war in Asia
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
• Instead of attacking China – UN forces advance against Korean forces
Settling for a Stalemate
• Soviets suggest a cease-fire on June 23, 1951
• Truce talks began in July 1951
Settling for a Stalemate
• By following Spring, opposing sides agreed on 2 points:
Settling for a Stalemate
• July 1953- two sides sign an armistice ending the war
American Victory?
• Communism contained without a world war
• No use of atomic weapons– Although the threat of
using them helped break a negotiation deadlock
Communist Victory?
• North Korea still communist
Effects of Korean War
• 54,000 Americans killed• Cost between $20 and
$22 billion