The Cold War in Asia SOL 13c

Containment The policy for preventing the expansion of communism

Conflicts and Leaders At the end of the Chinese Civil War (1927-49), it was divided into 2 nations Chiang Kai-shek was the Nationalist leader (in island of Taiwan) Mao Tse-tung (Zedong) was the communist leader (mainland China)

Spread of Communism Communists finally defeated the Nationalists in 1949 and set up the People’s Republic of China. Nationalist fled to Taiwan and set up the Republic of China Each still fight over territory The USSR and China signed a pact of cooperation in 1950, the Cold War had arrived in China.

Mao Tse-tung

Policies Mao enacted policies such as “the Great Leap Forward” and the “Cultural Revolution” aimed at the youth to spark revolutionary/nationalistic ideas. Under these policies, China became industrialized, but at the expense of 1000’s, especially farmers. Americans feared communism would spread to other parts of Asia.

Korea After WWII, Korea was divided between communist North Korea and pro- Western South Korea at the 38th Parallel In 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea. Backed by the UN, Pres. Truman sent troops to Korea. Led by Gen. MacArthur.

The Korean Conflict By late 1950 American troops had moved through North Korea to the border of China, causing the Chinese to enter the conflict on the side of North Korea. Americans retreated back to the demilitarized zone (38th parallel) and a truce was signed in 1953. Still divided today.

Korean Conflict

Vietnam In 1954 Vietnam gained its independence from colonial France. It was divided into communist North Vietnam and pro- Western South Vietnam. North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh did not agree with this and attempted to unify the country. Ngo Dinh Diem led South Vietnam, but ruled as a dictator (Viet Cong-nationalists against him)

US and Vietnam The South Vietnamese government became corrupt. U.S. believed in the “domino theory”. If Vietnam fell to communism, so would the rest of Asia Under both President Kennedy and Johnson, the US aided South Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin In 1964 Pres. Johnson told the nation that US warships had been attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats (small boats with big weapons) at the Gulf of Tonkin. Johnson ordered air strikes on North Vietnam and sent more US troops to Vietnam. With this, the Vietnam War begins (resolution in 1965)

The Vietnam War After more than nine years of fighting, American forces could not defeat the North Vietnamese troops in these difficult jungle conditions. January 1973, U.S. signed the Paris Peace Accord, withdrew from the war South Vietnam eventually fell to communist North Vietnam in 1975.

Images from Vietnam