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Chapter 26
Cold War Conflicts
Section 1:
Origins of the Cold War.
Section 2:
The Cold War Heats Up.
I.
Civil War in China
There were two groups in China. The Communists under a man named Mao Zedong and the
Nationalists under the Chinese President, Chaing Kai-Shek. When the Japanese attacked
China during WWII, they joined forces to fight the Japanese. After the war, they went back
to fighting each other. The US was aiding the Nationalists. Chinese support for the
communists grew because they treated the people (peasant farmers) better.
a.
Fighting Breaks out:
i. The US under President Truman, sent $2 Billion worth of aid to the Nationalists
from 1944-47, but would not send troops. It was not enough and by May of
1949 the Nationalists fled China for Taiwan.
b.
America Reacts to Communist Takeover.
i. Government leaders were upset that we were so willing to stop Communism in
Europe, but not in Asia (China). The US Government claimed that more help to
China would have meant another war, and we were not ready for that.
II.
Koreans Go To War
Japan had ruled Korea since 1910. When WWII ended, the Japanese pulled out of Korea.
The Japanese north of the 38th Parallel surrendered to the Soviets and the Japanese south of
the 38th parallel surrendered to the US. This was not meant to become a permanent line, but it
did. The north was more industrial and the south more agricultural. The south’s government
was headed up by Syngman Rhee. The communists in the north were led by Kim Il Sung.
By 1949 the US and the USSR had both withdrawn their troops leaving the two sides alone,
facing each other. Both sides claimed to have control over all of Korea.
a.
North Korea attacks South Korea.
i. June 25, 1950 North Korean Troops started the Korean War by invading South
Korea. President Truman ordered naval and air support for South Korea, as he
did not want to let another nation fall to communism.
ii. June 27, 1950 the UN Security council adopted an American Resolution to help
South Korea. The USSR was boycotting the UN and was not present to veto the
resolution.
iii. 16 nations sent 520,000 troops to assist South Korea. The South Korean troops
numbered another 590,000. These forces were under the command of General
Douglas MacArthur.
III.
The United States Fights in Korea
North Korean troops seemed unstoppable driving to Seoul and then all the way to Pusan, at
the southern end of the Peninsula.
a.
MacArthur’s Miracle Counterattack
i. MacArthur made an amphibious attack behind enemy lines on September 15,
1950 at Inchon. Trapped between the troops moving north from Pusan and the
newly landed troops at Inchon, over half of the communist forces surrendered,
the others retreated.
ii. October 7, 1950 the UN council met and decided to have MacArthur go on the
offensive and cross the 38th parallel to try to unite Korea. The Chinese say they
will not allow this to happen.
b.
The Chinese Fight Back
i. The UN forces pressed deep into North Korea and were nearing the Yalu River
at the North Korea/Manchuria border. When this happened, the Chinese sent
300,000 troops across the border at the UN troops. By Christmas, the Chinese
troops had driven the UN troops 75-100 miles south of the 38th parallel. They
again lost their capital city of Seoul. This led to a 2 year stalemate.
c.
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
i. MacArthur wanted to blockade the Chinese coast and use Atomic Bombs on
China. President Truman rejected this. The soviets had a pact with China and
attacking China, could have led to WWIII.
ii. By March of 1951 US 8th Army, led by Mathew Ridgway had retaken Seoul and
had pushed the Chinese back across the 38th parallel. Everything was back to
the exact position it was before the war.
d.
MacARthur Versus Truman
i. MacArthur continued to urge a full scale war against China. MacArthur could
not convince Truman, so he decided to try to go over his head. He wrote to
senators and contacted newspapers. Truman finally had enough. MacArthur
was relieved of his command.
ii. American’s were outraged as MacArthur was viewed as a hero. MacArthur was
brought home to a ticker tape parade and was allowed to address congress.
e.
Settling For Stalemate
i. June 23, 1951 the Soviet’s unexpectedly suggested a cease fire. Peace talks
began. The sides agreed on the 38th parallel as a demilitarized zone between the
two sides. They spent a year arguing over prisoner exchange.
ii. Effects of the War: Communism had not been defeated, but it had not spread.
A world war did not break out, Atomic weapons were not used.
1. 54,000 Americans died.
2. $20 billion had been spent.
3. Korean War increased the fear of Communism among Americans.
Section 3:
The Cold War at Home
Section 4:
Two Nations Live on the Edge