Confrontation and Communism in Asia

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  • Created by: Erin W
  • Created on: 13-06-17 15:55

The Korean War - Background

  • During WW2 Korea was occupied by Japan.
  • Korea was liberated by Soviet soldiers in the north and US soldiers in the south.
  • Partitioned on the 38th parallel of latitude until elections could be held - USA and USSR couldn't agree on a type of government.
  • North Korea - communist under Kim Il Sung - brought in welcomed reforms for workers.
  • South Korea - capitalist dictatorship under Syngman Rhee - unpopular and spiteful but had backing of USA.
  • Both states sought reunification of the country.
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The Korean War

  • June 1950 - N. Korean forces invade South.
  • Within days the capital, Seoul, had been taken.
  • US feared a 'domino effect' - many countries would then fall to communism.
  • United Nations forces (mainly American) - led by General Douglas MacArthur landed at Inchon in September 1950.
  • Pushed N.Korean forces above 38th parallel (beyond its orders) - this worried China (thought USA would invade it).
  • China invaded N.Korea and pushed UN forces back to the 38th parallel.
  • MacArthur asked Truman for permission to counter attack (and atomic bombs) - Truman refused (didn't want conflict to escalate or USSR involvement).
  • April 1951 - MacArthur sacked after criticising President's policy.
  • War continued for two more years - Soviet Air Force dressed as Chinese pilots (Stalin didn't want to be seen involved).
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Results of Korean War and Ceasefire

  • 1953 - Khrushchev takes over USSR and Dwight D. Eisenhower new US President - two new leaders wanted peace.
  • July 1953 - a ceasefire was agreed.
  • Permanent border (just north of 38th parallel) agreed and demilitarised zone created.
  • Containment had worked - no communism in S.Korea.
  • Relationships between North and South Korea very tense.
  • USA invested alot of money into Japanese economic recovery - to prevent it becoming communist.
  • USA became 'protector' of area - agreements made with Phillipines, Austria, and New Zealand.
  • Military side of NATO expanded (previously was mainly political).
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Cuban Missile Crisis Background

  • Cuba - large Caribbean island 90 miles from Florida.
  • 1959 - Cuban revolution.
  • Old ruler Bastista overthrown by group led by Fidel Castro - Castro formed a communist government.
  • Trade between USA and Cuba declined - this worried USA
  • Cuba and USSR soon became close trading partners.
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Bay of Pigs Disaster

  • 1961 - John F Kennedy became US President.
  • JFK informed by CIA of planned invasion of Cuba - with help from anti-Castro Cuban exiles.
  • Kennedey approved invasion - it went wrong.
  • USA expected support from Cuban population - didn't materialise.
  • Attempt knowns as 'Bay of Pigs Disaster' after the bay where they landed.
  • Made Kennedy look weak and inexperienced.
  • Made Castro look heroic - gained him national suport in Cuba.
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The Build up to Crisis

  • Castro concerned USA wouldn't give up - Cuba turned to USSR.
  • 1962 - USSR sent nuclear missile building equipment to Cuba.
  • Missiles would be able to reach most American cities.
  • This was to counterbalance US missile bases in Turkey which could reach most Soviet cities.
  • Kennedy set up ExComm - group of political advisors to help deal with crisis - they suggested invasion of Cuba.
  • By 1962 - US Air Force had gathered enough evidence to prove missiles were being built and Soviet ships were on route to provide more.
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Cuban Missile Crisis

  • October 1962 - JFK enforces a naval blockade surrounding Cuba.
  • 26th October - U2 spy plane is shot down over Cuba. Khrushchev sends Kennedy telegram saying he will remove missiles if USA ended blockade and didn't take over Cuba - Kennedy agrees.
  • 27th October - second telegram saying USSR would only remove missiles if USA removed missiles from Turkey - no reply from Kennedy.
  • 28th October - Khrushchev agrees to Kennedy's offer and removal of missiles begins.
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Results of Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Nuclear war had been avoided.
  • Publicly looked like a victory for Kennedy - but Kennedy had agreed on 27th October to remove missiles from Turkey anyway.
  • Castro remained in power in Cuba.
  • Both USA and USSR agreed that similar confrontation should be avoided - a telephone hotline between Washington and Moscow set up.
  • USA and USSR agreed to hold talks to reduce the number of nuclear weapons each had - resulted in Partial Test Ban Treaty 1963.
  • Kennedy praised Khrushchev for compromising.
  • Khrushchev made to look weak in USSR - replaced in 1964.
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The Vietnam War Background

  • WW2 - Vietnam occupied by Japanese.
  • Vietminh (Vietnam army) led by Ho Chi Min declared Vietnam independant at the end of the war.
  • This worried French - wanted to regain control and stop communism spreading into Vietnam.
  • 1954 - French badly defeated in Dien Bien Phu - this lead to armistice.
  • Vietnam divided along 17th parallel of latitude.
  • North - under Vietminh control
  • South - under control of anti-communist Ngo Dinh Diem.
  • Election was to reunite country - never happened.
  • US supported south with money, weapons, and military advisors.
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Beginning of the War

  • Not all in South Vietnam were happy and wanted to re-join with the north.
  • They formed the National Liberation Army - Vietcong.
  • Vietcong - led by Ho Chi Minh.
  • Vietcong launched a series of guerrilla attacks against South Vietnamese government.
  • South Vietnamese government not very popular - seen as corrupt.
  • Ngo Dinh Diem eventually overthrown and assassinated.
  • Shortly after - JFK assassinated and succeeded by Lyndon B Johnson.
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The Tonkin Resolution

  • August 1964 - N.Vietnamese attacked US destroyer on the Bay of Tonkin.
  • President Johnson increased military presence in Vietnam.
  • Over next three years US attacks against Vietcong increased.
  • USA used chemical weapons e.g. napalm and Agent Orange.
  • By 1968 - over 1/2 million US troops in Vietnam.
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Why did USA Struggle to Defeat Vietcong?

  • US army mostly made up of young, inexperienced conscripts.
  • Vietcong used guerrilla tactics - they didn't wear uniforms so they could blend with surrounding civilian population.
  • Vietnamese supplying their army through Ho Chi Minh Trail - outside Vietnam war zone.
  • Vietcong developed a vast network of underground tunnels to support soldiers and confuse Americans.
  • US army lost support through indiscriminate attacks.
  • March 1968 - 350 Vietnamese villagers killed in My Lai massacre.
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Ending of Vietnam War

  • Jan 1968 - Tet Offensive launched against US forces.
  • Vietcong got as far as Southern capital, Saigon before they were driven back - made US realise they could not win war.
  • US public opinon and effects of war also played a part.
  • 1968 - Richard Nixon became president - determined to remove USA from Vietnam without looking weak.
  • He increased levels of boming against the North.
  • Ordered secret bombings against close countries - Cambodia etc.
  • Introduced Vietnamisation - gradual withdrawal of US troops.
  • 1973 - peace treaty signed - USA removed and POW released.
  • Seen as 'peace with honour'
  • Within two years - communists fully occupy Vietnam.
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Results of Vietnam War

  • Huge military and civilian losses.
  • Many US veterans suffered severe mental and physical trauma.
  • Vietnam and its citizens were devestated by war.
  • Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos all became communist.
  • USA spent $120 billion on the war.
  • Showed that when faced with Guerilla tactics, US could be defeated.
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