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