9.2 To what extent was the Korean War more of a civil war than a proxy war? 9.3 How did the Korean War impact the development of the Cold War?

1. 2.2 To what extent was the Korean War more of a civil war
than a proxy war?

2. Civil War – A war between citizens of the same
country
Proxy War – A war instigated by major powers which
does not themselves become involved.

4. 1. Desire of unification by North and
South Korean leaders (Chapter 2.1)
2. Limited support from the USA and the
Soviet Union/China from 1948 to early
1950
3. Border clashes between North and
South Korea

5.  N.Korea had requested for Soviet and US forces to be withdrawn from
Korea in 1947
 By 1949, both the Soviet Union and USA had withdrawn from their
occupied zones
 Withdrawal gave the impression that both superpowers had no intention
to be involved in Korean affairs
 USA was reluctant to provide military support to S.Korea
 Stalin was initially reluctant to support Kim as he did not want a military
confrontation with the US
 This showed that the Korean War was a civil war. (link)

6.  Many clashes between 1949 to 1950
 Initiated by South Korea in attempts to capture some territory from North
 North Korea retaliates, both sides suffer losses
 Border clashes showed inability of S.Korean forces to launch any offensive against
the North
 Many military desertions from South to North highlighting Rhee’s unpopularity
 Made USA more reluctant to send weapons the Rhee was asking for

7. 1. Soviet support for N.Korea’s invasion
2. Entry of USA in the Korean War to support S.Korea
3. Entry of China to support N. Korea
4. Armistice talks

11.  Soviets have been training and organizing the North Korean People’s Army
(NKPA) since 1948
 Made the NKPA a strong force
 NKPA managed to push S.Korean and UN forces all the way to Pusan (Busan)

13.  Truman believed that the invasion was influenced by Stalin to spread communism
in Asia
 Domino theory – one fall all fall
 Believed that American involvement was essential
 Asked the UN for help
 UN sent a joint force to help South Korea with General MacArthur leading the
Force
 USSR was unable to veto due to boycott
 PRC was not recognized, ROC was
 By Sept 1950, US and UN forces pushed the North Koreans back to the 38th
parallel

15.  UN forces continued past the 38th parallel under MacArthur
 China warned US and UN that it would attack if military moved beyond the 38th
parallel and towards the Yalu River (Border between N.Korea and China)
 Truman told MacArthur not to fight against the Chinese should they intervene
 MacArthur ignored orders and moved towards the Yalu River
 China entered the Korean War and began to pushed the US and UN forces back to
the 38th Parallel

16.  By April 1951, both sides reach a stalemate around 38th parallel
 Both sides (USSR, China and USA) were prepared to discuss peace
 MacArthur wanted to continue with war threatening to use nuclear weapons on
China to “destroy” China
 Truman dismissed MacArthur
 Both Kim and Rhee wanted to fight
 They were unable to, without support
**Armistice: An agreement to stop fighting. It
does NOT signify the end of war. It is an
attempt to negotiate peace while reducing
hostilities

17.  Negotiations for Armistice lasted from 1951 to 1953
 Both sides wanted different things
 In Jan 1953, Eisenhower replaced Truman as President, he pushed for the end of
the Korean war
 Stalin had also died and the new leadership wanted an Armistice as well
 Armistice eventually signed on July 1953
What the Communist Wanted What the UN/South Korean wanted
Division of Korea along 38th parallel Division of Korea along battle lines
established
All North Korean POWs to be returned to
N.Korea
All North Korean POWs to be given choice of
returning to N.Korea or staying in the South

19.  Started as a Civil War as both leaders wanted reunification
 Both superpowers withdrew from Korea
 Eventually a Proxy War
 USA got involved
 China got involved

20. 2.3 How did the Korean War impact the development of
the Cold War?

21. Korean War Cold War
What did the Korean War mean for the Cold War?

22. 1. Expansion of the Cold War beyond Europe
2. Intensified American Involvement in the Asia-Pacific
3. Escalation of military tensions between the Western
and Communist bloc in Europe

23.  Korean War was the first time Cold War was ‘fought’ as a proxy war outside
Europe
 Superpowers frequently became involved in local conflicts and gave military and
economic aid to the side that they supported
 This saw the Cold War spreading across the world but both superpowers did not
come into direct conflict with each other
 Examples:
 Vietnam War (1955-75)
 Cuba (CMC) (Oct 1962)
 Soviet-Afghan War (1979 – 1989)
 Textbook pg 64-65

24.  Economic Restructuring of Japan
 Japan was weakened after WWII
 Note Japan’s geographical location (next to China and USSR)
 Important for the US to rebuild the Japanese economy and to
establish a base in Japan
 Korean war accelerated American support of Japan as it was an
important and convenient source of supplies for American soldiers in
Korea
 Even after Korea, Japan remained an integral part fo American
containment policy in the Asia-Pacific

26.  Formation of SEATO
 South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO)
 The US was afraid if they lost one country to communism, others will
be lost too (Domino Theory)

27.  Set up by USA to include, USA, Britain, France, NZ, Australia,
Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan
 Purpose was to prevent spread of Communism in Asia-Pacific
 By holding joint military exercises annually
 Build strong economic foundations and improve living standards in
SEA

28.  NATO members begin to armed themselves in preparation against
Soviet aggression
 Military exercises held to strengthen cooperation of armed forces
within NATO
 Military expenditure increased
 Warsaw Pact was formed in response

29. 1. Expansion of the Cold War beyond Europe
2. Intensified American Involvement in the Asia-Pacific
3. Escalation of military tensions between the Western
and Communist bloc in Europe