Agenda- 4/4 The Cold War Heats Up: Cold War in Asia, and the Korean War Homework: you need to read through Chapter 26 sections 1 and 2 AND THREE by Friday. I’m not going to collect notes this time. However, don’t forget that I can test you over anything from those sections.

China, Korea, and the US Policy of Containment

The Cold War was a conflict of rival ideologies between the USA & USSR that lasted from 1945 to 1991 Early in the Cold War from 1945 to 1949, the focus of the conflict was on Europe The United States used the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, & NATO to successfully contain communism in Europe

Beginning in 1949, however, containment seemed to fail as communism spread to China, Korea, & Vietnam in Asia

In the 1920s, nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek took over & ran China as a dictatorship Meanwhile, communism was growing in China under the leadership of Mao Zedong Mao’ s Communist Party gained popularity among poor peasants by offering to redistribute land from wealthy warlords

A Common Enemy Nationalists and Communists team up to fight Japanese In 1930’s, Japan took over Manchuria

Victory Because of their unification, the Chinese defeat the Japanese Celebration is short lived… After WWII, Nationalists and Communists begin fighting again

When WWII began, Chiang & Mao agreed to a truce from 1937 to 1945 After WWII, fighting resumed: Nationalists & Communists fought in a bloody civil war for control of China When WWII began, Chiang & Mao agreed to a truce from 1937 to 1945 After WWII, Communists gained support & began to win control of China

Civil War Nationalists (Chiang Kai-shek, aka Jiang Jieshi) Vs. Communists (Mao Zedong)

US Lends a Hand Due to the philosophy of containment, the US supports Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists Because they aren’t communist Give approx. $3 billion in aid

Chiang’s gov’t fled China & set up in Taiwan In 1949, the Communists won the Civil War & Mao created the Peoples’ Republic of China Chiang’s gov’t fled China & set up in Taiwan The USA was shocked when China fell to communism & only recognized the Nationalists as the gov’t of China

Effects of the Civil War Mao Zedong establishes the People’s Republic of China Chinese creates pact with Soviet Union

The fall of China to communism had a major impact on the Cold War between the USA & USSR

The fall of China was a shock to the USA & President Harry Truman took the blame for “losing China”

The USA acted when communism threatened Korea The U.S. response to the fall of China was to more aggressively confront communism the world The USA was afraid of a “domino theory” in which communist nations turn their neighbors communist As a result, the USA vowed to contain the spread of communism anywhere in the world The USA acted when communism threatened Korea

The Forgotten War The first “proxy war” in the Cold War Korea The Forgotten War The first “proxy war” in the Cold War

Korea under Japanese Control 1910 - 1945 Japan ruled Korea Post WWII: Japan troops north of 38th parallel surrender to Soviets Japan troops south of 38th parallel surrender to US Korea becomes two nations – North and South – divided at the 38th degree latitude line

Democratic vs. Communist North Korea = Communist Soviets have great influence South Korea = Democratic US slowly pulls troops out, leaves South on own Soviets don’t think US will defend South

Korean Conflict Soviets plan to take over full Korean peninsula June 25, 1950 - North attacks South South appeals to United Nations Vote to help South June 27 - US sends in troops 16 nations help Korea with troops & aid 90% of troops come from US Led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur

Korea - Not a War? Congress never declared war in Korea Truman uses executive action to send troops US not in a “war,” but “involved in a United Nations police action”

Conflict - Stage 1 North has advantage Quickly move south and capture the capital, Seoul Southern forces pushed to small area

Conflict - Stage 2 MacArthur counterattack Surprise landing behind enemy lines North retreats, UN forces chase them Very close to Yalu River - border with China

Conflict - Stage 3 Enter: Communist China Don’t want Americans at their border! Need a buffer state – like North Korea – between the two Push south and capture Seoul - again Stalemate ensues

Conflict - Stage 4 MacArthur wants to attack China with atomic weapons Truman refuses China/Soviet pact - if the US attacks China, could start WWIII Truman fires MacArthur

The USA successfully stopped communism from spreading into South Korea & showed that it was willing to fight to contain communism Today, Korea remains divided between a communist and totalitarian North & a capitalist and democratic South After 3 years of fighting, a ceasefire was agreed to in 1953, the fighting stopped, & the 38° was restored as the boundary between North & South Koreas

To sum it all up: In 1950, North Korea (using Soviet supplied weapons) crossed the 38°& attacked South Korea When South Korea appealed to the United Nations, the USA sent troops to Korea to contain communism After WWII, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel with a totalitarian communist gov’t in North Korea & a democratic capitalist govt in South Korea But, when the USA pushed too close to China, the Chinese Army entered the war & helped North Korea

Wrap-up Truman’s decision to fight a limited war (and not invade China, as General MacArthur wanted to do) cost him popularity at home. The “loss” of China to Communism and the stalemate in the Korean War led many Americans to become increasingly paranoid about the spread of Communism.

How did Americans respond to President Truman’s decision to fire General MacArthur?

Using the documents and your knowledge of history, answer the questions on the packet! Note: Q1 is asking about MacArthur, not Truman

Doc A Memorandum for the President, May 8, 1951 Document A

Doc B Letter from Harold Russell

Doc C Letter from Elizabeth Wood

Closure How did people feel about Truman’s decision? What were some of the reasons that people gave for supporting or not supporting Truman? What does this say about how people felt during the early years of the Cold War?