Direct and Indirect Conflict American and Soviet Conflict by Proxy

OVERVIEW This lesson examines: The definition of proxy conflict Superpower involvement in the Korean War Long-term patterns

Conflict by Proxy Context Question: The US and the USSR rarely came close to direct confrontation. Why?

Conflict by Proxy The USA and USSR did not border each other - the buildup of nuclear weapons was the major form of competition. Direct confrontation could lead to nuclear war – this possibility acted as a limiting factor

Conflict by Proxy “Proxy” conflict is when one or both superpowers were indirectly involved in conflict; The superpowers fought against each other in alternate ways or supported forces which were loyal to their side, even though Such conflicts did not appear to have an influence on the superpowers’ immediate security. In what other ways might the superpowers compete with each other without using military means?

The Korean War Context Question: What was Stalin’s purpose in cutting off West Berlin from West Germany during the Berlin crisis of 1947?

The Korean War The superpowers left Korea in a situation that would lead to future conflict: The USSR disagreed with the UN plan for elections Syngman Rhee became president of the ROK Kim Il Sung became leader of the DPRK Both leaders claimed jurisdiction over the whole peninsula

The Korean War With Stalin’s support, North Korea launched an invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950 with the goal of unification. The US: Gained support of the UN Security Council in the USSR’s absence Sent soldiers and supplies to South Korea If the US and UN forces could successfully push the DPRK forces out of South Korea, how far should they have gone? Why?

The Korean War By September 1950, the US and UN forces had pushed the DPRK out of South Korea. The US and UN forces wanted to unify Korea under a friendly government. In what way might the Soviets and the Chinese have responded and how did they justify their involvement?

The Korean War Context Question: During WWII, when faced with the possibility of large casualties in the attempt to invade Japan, what option did the US choose and why?

The Korean War In early 1950, China had pushed the US and UN below the 38 th parallel. In danger of losing the war, what options did the US have? What would have been the consequences of these choices?

To launch a tactical nuclear strike To fight and gain as much territory as possible To retreat and give up South Korea The likely result? Nuclear war with the Soviet Union Maintenance of a divided Korea Loss of face and confidence in American leadership

The Korean War The removal of General MacArthur resulted in the search for negotiations. By Oct 1963: Around 4 million Koreans had died The North and South Korea border was near its original 38 th parallel The UN, North Korea and China signed an armistice

Long-term patterns Context Question: When the US was faced with communist aggression, how did it respond in Greece, the Berlin blockade and the invasion of South Korea?

Long-term patterns After the Korean War, the US had an established goal for its foreign policy: “Containment” The use of economic, diplomatic and/or military means to prevent the spread of communism to other countries

Long-term patterns How would the US achieve “containment”? Economic support of friendly governments Sponsorship of rebel movements Use of international support Military buildup and intervention Would these policies encourage or discourage peace between the superpowers? Explain.

SUMMARY QUESTIONS How were the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War examples of “proxy conflict”? Why did the US consider the use of atomic weapons in the Korean War? How was the Korean conflict resolved and what pattern of US foreign policy was established afterwards?