Cold War Heats Up China and Korea Map of Korea

China’s Political Situation Mao Zedong –Communists in the north –Support of peasants, redistributed land Chiang Kai-Shek –Nationalists in the south –Corrupt, inefficient dictator –$3 billion in US aid –Struggled with massive inflation Opened fire on protestors

Koreans begin fighting: build-up Japan rules Korea : Post WWII: Japanese north of 38 parallel surrender to Soviets Japanese south of 38 parallel surrender to Americans

38 th parallel – imaginary line Divided Korea physically and economically: North – Industry, Pyongyang and Kim Il Sung South – Agriculture, Seoul and Syngman Rhee Neither region able to prosper

UN Security Council passes multi- lateral resolution April National Security Council report (NSC- 68): –argued U.S. could no longer rely on other nations in resisting communism –the U.S. must establish active leadership in a noncommunist world –Established the responsibility of defending freedom in the world –called for major expansion of U.S. military

Korean War begins June 1950 – North Korea invades South Korea UN convenes to discuss proper reaction.

General Douglas MacArthur returns MacArthur leads combined UN forces: –90% of foreign troops are American –16 other nations contribute –South Korea supplies troops

MacArthur wants to attack China Calls for blockade of coast, use of atomic bomb, and work with Chiang’s troops. –Wants full-scale war rather than limited –Tries to go over Truman’s head Truman: –Knew of China’s mutual assistance pact w/ USSR –Angered by insubordination –Relieves MacArthur of his command

Stalemate USSR suggests cease-fire Armistice signed with following terms: –Demilitarized zone –38 th parallel remains dividing line

Results: Communism was contained –containment theory continues Korea two states rather than one (one nationality). US: –Lost 54,000 American lives –$ billion in expenditures –Political push toward the right: Eisenhower The true casualty figures for the North and South Koreans and Chinese will never be known. It is estimated that some 46,000 South Korean soldiers were killed and over 100,000 wounded. The Chinese are estimated by the Pentagon as having lost over 400,000 killed (including Mao Tse-tung's son) and 486,000 wounded, with over 21,000 captured. The North Koreans lost about 215,000 killed, 303,000 wounded and over 101,000 captured or missing.

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