Cold War Conflicts The Cold War Heats Up

Cold War Conflicts The Cold War Heats Up

China Becomes a Communist Country Communist struggle against nationalist government under Chiang Kai-Shek, who is supported by United States Between 1945 -1949, U. S. sends Nationalists $3 billion in aid Kai-Shek’s government is viewed as inefficient, corrupt, and undermines Nationalist support Communists led by Mao Zedong, who is gaining strength throughout the country Gained peasant support, encouraged them to read and improved food production By 1945, much of Northern China under communist control

Chiang Kai-Shek and Mao Zedong

China Becomes a Communist Country Renewed Civil War After WWII cooperation between Nationalists and Communists ceased Civil war erupts, Americans favor Nationalists because they oppose communism U. S. plays peacemaker (1944 -1947) but fail to negotiate peace, commit soldiers to back up Nationalists, but do send $2 billion worth of military equipment and supplies May 1949 Chiang flees to Taiwan Communist establish new government, the People’s Republic of China, which the U. S. refuses to recognize as China’s true government

China Becomes a Communist Country America Reacts to Communist Takeover American public stunned, containment had failed Truman administration attacked for only sending minimal aid to Chiang American government states that internal forces in China are to blame and trying to do more would have started a war in Asia Claims that American government was riddled with Communist agents starts to spread

The Korean War Japan rules Korea from 1910 -1945 but lose it after surrendering in WWII Japanese troops north of the 38 th parallel surrendered to Soviets and south surrendered to Americans, creating two nations, one communist and one democratic 1948, Republic of Korea (South Korea), established in zone occupied by U. S. , headed by Syngman Rhee and based in Seoul Communist form the, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, led by Kim Il Sung and based in Pyongyang

Syngman Ree and Kim Il Sung

The Korean War North Korea Attacks South Korea June 25, 1950, North Korean forces cross the 38 th parallel and surprise attack South Korea, starting the Korean War South Korea calls United Nations to help stop the invasion When matter comes to vote in UN Security Council military action passes Soviet Union not present due to boycotting the council in protest of Nationalist China (Taiwan) June 27, Truman orders troops stationed in Japan to support South Koreans 16 nations sent 520, 000 troops to aid South Korea, over 90% are Americans, South Korea has 590, 000 troops Placed under command of General Douglas Mac. Arthur

United States Fights in Korea Mac. Arthur’s Counterattack After a month of combat N. Korea forced UN and S. Korea into small defensive zone in Pusan Mac. Arthur counterattacks with tanks, heavy artillery, and fresh troops September 15, 1950, his troops make a surprise amphibious landing in Inchon, thus trapping N. Korea between two forces Half of N. Koreans surrender and the other half fled back across 38 th parallel Late November 1950, UN troops approach Yalu River, border between N. Korea and China The Chinese Fight Back China’s foreign minister, Zhou En-lai, warns Americans that his country will not “let Americans come to the border” 300, 000 Chinese troops join N. Korean side China wants Communist to act as buffer state to protect Manchuria Chinese drive the UN southward, at some points outnumbering the UN forces 10 to 1 January 1951, all UN and S. Korean forces had been pushed out of N. Korea, even capturing Seoul Two years of fighting for position ensue but neither side makes important advances

Unites States Fights in Korea Mac. Arthur Recommends Attacking China Early 1951, Mac. Arthur calls for extension of war into China and using nuclear weapons against Chinese cities Truman rejects, the Soviet Union had a mutual-assistance pact with China, attacking them would start WWIII UN and S. Koreans start advancing once again, led by Matthew B. Ridgeway April 1951, Ridgway retakes Seoul and moves back up to 38 th parallel Mac. Arthur Versus Truman Mac. Arthur continues to urge for full-scale war against China Goes over Truman’s head and speaks to newspapers, magazines, and Republican leaders, and continues to criticize him April 11, 1951, Truman fires Mac. Arthur, because he wants to create a settlement to the war and cannot tolerate someone trying to sabotage it Americans were outraged, Mac. Arthur is honored in addressing Congress, a parade, and says “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away” Congressional committee agrees to limit the war and swings public opinion back in his favor

United States Fights in Korea Settling for Stalemate June 23, 1951. Soviet Union suggests a cease-fire Truce talks begin in July 1951 The two sides reach an agreement on two points The location of the cease-fire line at the existing battle line Establishment of a demilitarized zone between the two sides Negotiators spend another year wrangling over the exchange of prisoners July 1953, the two sides sign an armistice ending the war Considered stalemate because North Koreans had been pushed back and communism was contained without use of atomic weapons but Korea was still two different nations 540, 000 American lives lost, $67 billion in expenditures, and rejection of Democratic party due to their efforts in an unsuccessful war Leads to election of WWII hero Dwight D. Eisenhower Increases fear in communism and prompts hunt for Americans with communist ties