the cold war heats up. civil war in china during wwii- a japanese invasion interrupted a long...
TRANSCRIPT
The Cold War Heats Up
Civil War in China
• During WWII- A Japanese invasion interrupted a long Chinese Civil War
• Communists vs. Nationalists
• Communist leader-Mao Zedong
• Nationalist leader-Chiang Kai-shek
• U.S. aids the nationalists
Civil War in China
• US military officials didn’t like Chiang
• Found his govmt dictatorial, inefficient, and hopelessly corrupt
• Policies of Chiang undermined the Nationalists
Examples of Chiang’s Policies
• collected a grain tax from farmers during a famine
• Secret police fired against protesters protesting against a 10,000% increase in the price of rice
Civil War in China
• Communists skillful in winning support of the peasants
• Communists would redistribute land to peasants and reduce rents
Fighting Breaks Out
• As soon as Japanese left China-civil war resumed
• Americans favored the nationalists because they opposed communists
• 1944 to 47 US tried to play peacemaker between 2 groups-while still supporting nationalists
• Truman refused to commit American soldiers
• US sent $2 billion worth of military equipment and supplies
Fighting Breaks Out• Nationalist problems:
– Weak military leadership– Corrupt– Abusive practices drove
peasants to the communists
• May 1949- Chiang and the remnants of his govmt and army fled to Taiwan– An island east of
mainland China
America Reacts to Communist Takeover
• American public stunned
• Containment failed• Congress attack
Truman for not supplying enough aid to Chiang
• Shouldn’t containment be important in Asia as well as Europe?
• Many claimed the US “lost” China
• Said American govmt was riddled with Communist agents
• American fear of Communism grew
Koreans go to War
• Japan ruled Korea until 1945
• Japanese north of 38th parallel surrendered to Russians
• South of 38th parallel surrendered to the US
Koreans go to War
• 38th parallel not intended as a permanent boundary
• 2 different nations emerged-one communist, one not
• South Korea becomes Republic of Korea-headed by Syngman Rhee
Koreans go to War
• North becomes Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• Headed by Kim Il Sung
• By 1949- US and Soviets had left Korea
• Each govmt claimed sole right to rule all Korea
North Korea Attacks South Korea
• June 25, 1950 North invades South-Begins Korean War
• Americans alarmed that another Asian nation may fall to communism
• Truman decides to take military action
• June 27, 1950-UN pledges to help South Korea
• 16 nations with 520,000 troops assist South Korea– Under command of
Douglas MacArthur
US Fights in Korea
• NK unstoppable at 1st
• After 1 month- UN troops forced to small defensive zone around Pusan
MacArthur’s Counterattack
• MacArthur launches counterattack
• Sept 15, 1950 UN troops land at Inchon
• Other troops move north from Pusan
• North Koreans trapped in the middle
MacArthur’s Counterattack
• Many NK troops surrendered
• Many fled back behind 38th parallel
• 10/7/1950- UN recommends MacArthur cross 38th parallel and reunite Korea
• China warned that they would not stand by and let the Americans come to the border-the Yalu River
• MacArthur dismisses Chinese threat
The Chinese Fight Back
• 11/25/1950- 300,000 Chinese move into NK
• By Christmas, Chinese force UN forces 100 miles south of 38th parallel
• 2 more years neither side able to make an advance
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
• Calls for extension of war into China-to end the stalemate
• Blockade Chinese coast
• Use atomic bombs on China
• Use Chiang Kai Shek’s troops to invade southern China
• Truman rejects MacArthur’s request
• Didn’t want US involved in a massive land war in Asia
• Soviets had a mutual assistance pact with the Chinese– Could set off WWIII
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
• Instead of attacking China – UN forces advance against Korean forces
• Retake Seoul• Moved back up to the
38th parallel
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:
• 1. Location of the ceasefire line at the existing battle line
• 2. Establish a demilitarized zone between the opposing sides
• July 1953- two sides sign an armistice ending the war
• Basically ended in a stalemate
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
• Still 2 Koreas rather than 1
Effects of Korean War
• 54,000 Americans killed• Cost between $20 and
$22 billion• High cost of war led to
rejection of Democratic party in 1952– Election of Dwight D.
Eisenhower as President– Increased fear of
communist aggression– Prompted a hunt for spies