Hot Parts of the Cold War in Korea and Vietnam Summarize the events of the Cold War, including the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe; the rise of the Communist party in China; the building of the Berlin Wall; the economic and political competition for influence in Vietnam and Korea; the Cuban missile crisis; the revolutionary movements in Africa; the development of new military, nuclear, and space technology; and the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Part One The Korean War

After the Japanese were driven out of Korea, the country was divided into two parts at the 38 th parallel

Each part was backed by a different Cold War leadership: The north was Communist; the south was a democracy

The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. They wanted to make the entire country Communist.

The US, led by President Truman, and the United Nations sent troops to support South Korea.

The Soviets helped the North Koreans by giving them money and weapons. The Chinese also helped by sending in troops.

The war quickly reached an expensive tie, and it ended in 1953, when a cease-fire agreement was signed.

Korea remained divided at the 38 th parallel. This became a demilitarized zone.

Part Two The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was another “hot” part of the Cold War. It began when the French wanted to control Vietnam again after WWII.

However, Vietnam’s communist leader, Ho Chi Minh, was very strong

The US gave the French money and weapons to fight the Communists

We were afraid that if one Asian country fell to communism, the rest of Asia would also become communist. This was called “The Domino Theory.”

However, Ho Chi Minh and his Communist forces were able to defeat the French and gain independence

After the French lost, Vietnam was split into two areas at the 17 th parallel

The north became Communist. They were led by Ho Chi Minh, who was a very popular leader.

The south did not. They were led by Ngo Dinh Diem, who was in charge of a very corrupt government.

The north (Communists) invaded the south because they wanted to put Vietnam back together with a Communist government.

The US did not want this to happen.

We sent weapons and advisors to South Vietnam.

President Johnson sent troops to help fight. We fought against the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong (Communists in South Vietnam).

But Communists used guerilla warfare and were successful

The South Vietnamese government was not supported by the people, and the US could not win

So we withdrew from the war

Communists took over South Vietnam and made the entire country Communist.

Cambodia and Laos also became Communist, but no other Asian countries did.

Though the Cold War never became a “hot” war, the US and the USSR fought for their opinions in other areas of the world.