Chapter 18 Section 2

The Cold War Heats Up

Civil War in China

• During WWII- A Japanese invasion interrupted a long Chinese Civil War • Communists vs. Nationalists • Communist leader Mao Zedong • Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek

Civil War in China

• US begins aiding Nationalists during WWII

Civil War in China

• US military officials didn ’ t like Chiang • Found his govmt dictatorial, inefficient, and hopelessly corrupt • Policies of Chiang undermined the Nationalists

Civil War in China

• collected a grain tax from farmers during a famine • Secret police fired against protesters protesting against a 10,000% increase in the price of rice

Civil War in China

• Communists skillful in winning support of the peasants • Communists would redistribute land to peasants and reduce rents

Fighting Breaks Out

• As soon as Japanese left China-civil war resumed • Americans favored the nationalists because they opposed communists • 1944 to 47 US tried to make peacemaker between 2 groups while still supporting nationalists

Fighting Breaks Out

• Truman refused to commit American soldiers • US sent $2 billion worth of military equipment and supplies

Fighting Breaks Out

• Nationalist problems: – Weak military leadership – Corrupt – Abusive practices drove peasants to the communists

Fighting Breaks Out

• May 1949- Chiang and the remnants of his govmt and army fled to Taiwan – An island east of mainland China

America Reacts to Communist Takeover • American public stunned • Containment failed • Congress attack Truman for not supplying enough aid to Chiang • Shouldn ’ t containment be important in Asia as well as Europe?

America Reacts to Communist Takeover • State Department said the only way to help the Nationalists was to go to war • A war the US wasn ’ t prepared to fight – Most people accepted this reasoning – Some rejected it as lame excuses

America Reacts to Communist Takeover • Many claimed the US “ lost ” China • Said American govmt was riddled with Communist agents • American fear of Communism grew

Koreans go to War • Japan ruled Korea until 1945 • Japanese north of

38 th parallel

surrendered to Russians • South of

38 th parallel

surrendered to the US

Koreans go to War

• 38 th parallel not intended as a permanent boundary • 2 different nations emerged-one communist, one not • South Korea becomes Republic of Korea-headed by Syngman Rhee

Koreans go to War

• North becomes Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea • Headed by Kim Il Sung • By 1949- US and Soviets had left Korea • Each govmt claimed sole right to rule all Korea

North Korea Attacks South Korea • June 25, 1950 North invades South-Begins Korean War • Americans alarmed that another Asian nation may fall to communism • Truman decides to take military action

North Korea Attacks South Korea • June 27, 1950-UN pledges to help South Korea • 16 nations with 520,000 troops assist South Korea – Under command of Douglas MacArthur

US Fights in Korea

• NK unstoppable at 1 st • After 1 month- UN troops forced to small defensive zone around Pusan

MacArthur

’

s Counterattack

• MacArthur launches counterattack • Sept 15, 1950 UN troops land at Inchon • Other troops move north from Pusan • North Koreans trapped in the middle

MacArthur

’

s Counterattack

• Many NK troops surrendered • Many fled back behind 38 th parallel • 10/7/1950- UN recommends MacArthur cross 38 th parallel and reunite Korea

MacArthur

’

s Counterattack

• China warned that they would not stand by and let the Americans come to the border-the Yalu River • MacArthur dismisses Chinese threat

The Chinese Fight Back

• 11/25/1950- 300,000 Chinese move into NK • By Christmas, Chinese force UN forces 100 miles south of 38 th parallel • 2 more years neither side able to make an advance

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China • Calls for extension of war into China-to end the stalemate • Blockade Chinese coast • Use atomic bombs on China • Use Chiang Kai Shek ’ s troops to invade southern China

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China • Truman rejects MacArthur ’ s request • Didn ’ t want US involved in a massive land war in Asia • Soviets had a mutual assistance pact with the Chinese – Could set off WWIII

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China • Instead of attacking China – UN forces advance against Korean forces • Retake Seoul • Moved back up to the 38 th parallel

Settling for a Stalemate

• Soviets suggest a cease-fire on June 23, 1951 • Truce talks began in July 1951

Settling for a Stalemate

• By following Spring, opposing sides agreed on 2 points: • 1. Location of the ceasefire line at the existing battle line • 2. Establish a demilitarized zone between the opposing sides

Settling for a Stalemate

• July 1953- two sides sign an armistice ending the war • Basically ended in a stalemate

American Victory?

• Communism contained without a world war • No use of atomic weapons – Although the threat of using them helped break a negotiation deadlock

Communist Victory?

• North Korea still communist • Still 2 Koreas rather than 1

Effects of Korean War

• 54,000 Americans killed • Cost between $20 and $22 billion • High cost of war led to rejection of Democratic party in 1952 – Election of Dwight D. Eisenhower as President – Increased fear of communist aggression – Prompted a hunt for spies