Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
China Turns Communist The Korean War 1950-1953 Vietnam War 1964-1975
The Cold War in Asia China Turns Communist The Korean War Vietnam War
2
A. China Turns Communist
Before WWII began there was a Civil War in China between the Communists and Nationalists
3
During WWII the fighting stopped as the Chinese concentrated on defeating Japan
Fighting renewed after WWII from
4
Communist forces were led by Mao Zedong
Nationalists forces were led by Jiang Jieshi
5
Communists win the Civil War because they have the support of the peasants (90% of the population)
Oct. 1, 1949 Mao proclaims the People’s Republic of China (PRC) – a communist state
6
Nationalists retreated to Taiwan and created the Republic of China (ROC)
U.S. supported the Nationalists and therefore the ROC The Soviet Union supported the PRC
7
Created problem in the UN
Which China would be seated? U.S., Britain, & France voted for the ROC Soviet Union will now boycott the UN in support of the PRC
8
B. The Korean War 1950 – 1953 1st Cold War conflict outside of Europe
Korea divided into 2 zones of influence after WWII: Soviets in the North, U.S. in South Divided at the 38th parallel
9
1950 North Korea invades the South to try to reunite
U.S. under the policy of containment wishes to stop the invasion U.S. will appeal to the U.N. to send troops
10
U.S. will send troops led by General MacArthur and will drive the North Koreans back to the Chinese border China will then become involved to help the North Koreans and protect their own nation
12
Chinese will drive MacArthur back to 38th parallel
MacArthur wants to use the atomic bomb to win war Truman doesn’t MacArthur fired Cease-fire declared At the end, still divided at the 38th parallel
13
C. The Vietnam War Vietnam was part of the French colony of Indochina and was captured by the Japanese during WWII Following WWII, Vietnam fights for it’s independence from France
14
Vietnamese are led by Ho Chi Minh, a communist
15
Vietnam will win independence from France in 1954
U.S. becomes worried that Vietnam will become Communist Vietnam divided into two at the Geneva Conference – Communist North & U.S. supported South
16
Domino Theory – belief that if one SE Asian country falls to communism, they all will
17
Communists were gaining support in the South
the U.S. sends advisors to help rule and limit communist influence in late 1950’s
18
Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) - “attack” on two American destroyers
Congress authorizes troops into South Vietnam to stop the spread of Communism– war never declared
19
By 1968, President Johnson has sent ½ million U. S
By 1968, President Johnson has sent ½ million U.S. soldiers to Vietnam to fight against the Viet Cong (Communist forces) in South Vietnam not against North Vietnam
20
Problems for the U.S.: Most Vietnamese like the Viet Cong
Can’t figure out who is the enemy Fighting in the jungle Ho Chi Minh Trail North Vietnam helping the Viet Cong U.S. not winning the war
21
War becomes increasingly unpopular in the U.S
President Nixon calls for Vietnamization – gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops
22
By 1973, all American troops pulled from Vietnam
1975, North Vietnamese overrun the South and Vietnam is reunited as a communist nation
23
In the end Communism spread to 3 nations in Asia
China North Korea Vietnam
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.