Chapter 26 – Section 2:The Cold War Heats Up

vs.

Showdown in China!

United States had been supporting Nationalists

Chiang Kai-Shek leads Nationalist forces Ruled primarily in the south and east Chiang and his army were viewed as

courageous Officials in United States viewed him

differently Constant inaction by his military

United States sent $3 billion in aid $27.5 billion in 2010

Showdown in China!

Mao Zedong leads Communist forces

Communists rule mostly in the north

Relied primarily on aid from the Soviet Union

Used a different strategy than Soviets for gaining support

Showdown in China!

Civil War beaks out in China Americans forced to support the

Nationalist Regime From 1944-1947 we try to negotiate

peace between the two factions Our aid proves to be not enough In May of 1949 Nationalists flee to

Taiwan

China Falls To Communism• Mao Zedong establishes himself as

authoritarian– Establishes a cult of personality

• Soviet Union and China sign the Sino-Soviet Alliance– Mutual defense treaty

• Communist world has doubled in size overnight– This freaks people out

• People begin to point to communism in the American government

The National Security Council National Security Council (NSC) is

formed in 1947 Department of Defense is also

created in the National Security Act Sought to end fighting between Armed

Forces CIA is formed for foreign clandestine

operations NSA is formed to spy on American

citizens Eavesdropped on people

NSC-68: A Groundbreaking Report In 1950 the NCS issues NSC-68 It told us:

Soviet Union is bent on expansion We need to triple out defense budget We need to fund the development of the

hydrogen bomb The Soviets will challenge us on the

periphery We ignored much of the information

NSC-68: A Groundbreaking Report NSC-68 also outlined four options for

United States Foreign Policy going forward

Do nothing at all Attack the Soviet Union in a

preemptive war Retreat back into the Western

Hemisphere and concede Europe Build alliances and draw a line in the

sand

The Path to War in Korea

Korea had been annexed by the Japanese in 1910

Koreans in the north surrendered to the Soviet Union

Koreans in the south surrendered to the United States

With the end of WWII and the conquering of Japan, two nations are created in Korea

The Path to War in Korea

In 1948 the Republic of Korea is founded Leader is Syngman Rhee He is dictatorial Capital is in Seoul

Communists formed the People’s Republic of Korea Leader is Kim Il Sung Capital is in Pyongyang

The Path to War in Korea

Environment was ripe for an invasion United States had a limited presence

in Korea Soviet Union thought we would not

combat communism in Korea June 25th, 1950 the North Koreans

sweep across the 38th Parallel North Korean forces push South

Korean forces to the Pusan Perimeter

War on the Korean Peninsula South Korea turns to the United

Nations for help United Nations votes to assist South

Korea On June 27th, Truman sends U.S.

troops 16 nations send 520,000 troops total South Korea has 590,000 troops of

their own The combined UN/South Korean

troops are led by General Douglas MacArthur

War on the Korean Peninsula United States is

not ready to find a ground war

We have put all of our focus on the “bomb”

We have ten divisions and not one is ready

We had to rush troops from Japan

The UN Counterattack

MacArthur believes that North Korea is stretched

Devises a plan to invade at Inchon Lands fresh troops on the West Coast Sandwiched troops between them

and a push from Pusan Perimeter Half of the North Korean army

surrenders The other half retreats

MacArthur Goes on the Offensive Decides he can unite Korea militarily Defies orders and crosses the 38th

Parallel We drive the North Korean troops all

the way to the Yalu River Chinese are warning us not to get

close Yalu River is frozen

Allows the Chinese army to cross easier

Disaster at Chosin

Winter has set in Thanksgiving Day, 1950

Chinese forces launch surprise attack War had become United States vs.

China Pushed back to Seoul by January of

1951 For the next two years the war would

be fought in a 100 mile swatch of land in central Korea

MacArthur Defies Truman MacArthur wishes to attack China He calls for the “bomb” Truman rejects this idea 100% Wars become “limited” MacArthur tries to go above

Truman’s head Truman’s Goal was peace/settlement MacArthur fired on April 11th, 1951

You’re Fired!

Negotiating A Peace

Truce talks begin in July of 1951 Sides agree on two main issues

Cease fire at existing battle line Creation of a DMZ

Election of 1952 has a great impact on the war Chinese don’t know what Ike will do Stalin is dead, no more Soviet Support

An armistice is signed in July of 1953

What is the DMZ?

Serves as a buffer between the nations

2.5 miles wide, 160 miles long One of the most dangerous places on

earth Limited patrols are permitted Numerous incursions and skirmishes

have occurred North Korea has built four known tunnels Numerous fire exchanges

The Korean War is Over

Often called the forgotten war It is the 0-0 tie in soccer Result of war is not popular at home

54,000 American lives lost $67 billion spent No real winner

Leads to the election of Republican in Ike

Increased fear of communism at home

North and South Korea Today The two countries take two different paths North Korea:

Famine stricken Energy shortages Brutal dictatorship in Kim Jong Il GDP of $1,244

South Korea: Developed nation Powerful economy Democratic government GDP of $21,529