The Cold War Heats Up The Cold War

The Cold War Heats Up: The Cold War in the Pacific Essential Question: What are differences between Chaing Kia-shek and Mao Zedong How do they compare to President Truman and General Mac. Arthur on politics and War on the Korean Peninsula.

Truman’s Speech • Read through Truman’s Speech on Firing Mac. Arthur and answer these questions: – Provide evidence from the speech to address what Truman’s objective for the war is. – What impression does he want the audience to have concerning General Mac. Arthur, cite evidence. – Do you think, according to his speech, Americans will approve or disapprove and why? – Discuss with a partner, then with the whole class

Containment in Southeast Asia • We discussed in the last lesson America’s attempt to stop the spread of communism • The first area of focus was on Europe • Then the focus shifted to Asia – Why – Because that was exactly where communism had spread! • This shift from one continent to another to stop the spread of communism was called the domino effect

China Becomes a Communist Country In 1945 China was under a nationalistic gov’t lead by Chiang Kai-shek US supported him Between 1945 -1949 US sends China $3 billion in aid The Americans favored him and his ability to defend China during Japanese invasion in WWII However, US officials who dealt with him personally disagreed They found his gov’t inefficient and corrupt

Mao Zedong • Enter Mao Zedong – Communist Party – Gained strength throughout the country – In the areas the Communist Party controlled, Mao worked to win peasant support • The party encouraged them to read and helped them improve food production – Result – more and more people chose to join Mao’s Red Army • 1945 – much of Northern China became under Communists control

Renewed Civil War • As soon as the Japanese left China at the end of WWII, the Nationalists and Communists ceased cooperation • Americans favored nationalists because they opposed communism – 1944 -1947 – Ame was peacekeeper b/w the 2 – However, US officials failed to succeed most of the time – Truman refused to send US military backup to the nationalists – we already sent $2 billion

Communism Wins • The weak, abusive Nationalists failed while communism gained ground • In May 1949 – Chiang and his followers fled to Taiwan • After 20 years, Communism ruled all of mainland China • They called their new government the People’s Republic of China – US refused to accept it as a true government – China refuses to accept Taiwan as an independent nation

America Reacts to Communist Takeover American people were stunned! Containment failed – again! Gov’t attacked Truman for doing too little If containment in Europe was so important, why not in China? US officials said it was due to internal forces And doing more might have lead to another war Some said this was a lame excuse and that US gov’t was full of communist agents Like a wildfire, fear began to burn out of control

The Korean War Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and ruled it until 1945 After WWII, Japanese troops north of the 38 th Parallel surrendered to the Soviets Japanese south of the line surrendered to America

Germany all over again Republic of Korea • • • South Democratic Helped by America Headed by Syngman Rhee Capital in Seoul Democratic People’s Republic of Korea • • • North Communists Helped by Soviet Union Headed by Kim Il Sung Capital in Pyongyang

North Attacks South • Ame starts to rescind its control and by June 1950, only 500 Ame troops were left • North Korea took this as a weakness and opportunity to incite terror • On June 25 th, 1950 North Korea attacks South Korea calling it the Korean War • Within days the North forces had deeply swept into the South • Seemed unstoppable – captured Seoul – Within months SK troops pushed into small defensive area

Effects of Korean War • SK asked US for help • When UN voted on this help, SU was not at meeting – They were boycotting the UN because of its recognition of democratically run Taiwan • Plus – Soviet Union could not vote against it – It was then passed • On June 27 th, Truman tells troops stationed in Japan to support SK • Also sent American fleet to Taiwan

Response • In all, 16 nations sent 520, 000 troops to help SK prevent a NK take-over • Over 90 % of the troops were America • SK troops added 590, 000 more men • The combined forces were put under General Douglas Mac. Arthur’s leadership (WII Pacific hero)

US Fights in Korea • Mac. Arthur’s Counterattack – 2 groups surprise NK troops • 1. amphibious landing behind enemy lines on west coast in Inchon • 2. land troops moved north from Pusan – NK becomes trapped between the two forces • ½ of their forces surrender while the rest fled – UN troops chased them across the 38 th parallel and set up across enemy lines

The Chinese Fight Back • China had other plans – counterattack of their own – remember, communist now • Leader Zhou En-lai said he would not stand idly by while communist North Korea was being pushed out of the south • Late Nov. 1950 – 300, 000 Chinese troops joined with North Korea – Wanted NK to be buffer state to Manchuria – Weary of US presence in ocean • Turned into a war between Chinese and Americans

• Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia.

Outcome • Chinese drove the South Koreans and American troops south • Chinese outnumbered UN troops 10 to 1 • By January 1951, UN and South K troops were pushed back across the line • Once again, Seoul gets captured by Chinese communist troops • Mac. Arthur, “We face an entirely new war” • The following 2 yrs no major advances made, just some small movements through hills

Mac. Arthur Recommends Attacking China • 1951 – Mac. Arthur calls for extension of war into China • Mac. Arthur was convinced that North K would be medium for Nuclear attack, so he asked for approval to use nuclear weapons first – Was NOT approved by Truman • Soviets had an agreement with China – war with China meant war with Soviets – WWIII? ! • Instead, UN and South K began gaining grounds, again lead by Matthew B. Ridgeway – By 1951, he had taken back Seoul and back up to 38 th parallel

Mac. Arthur Versus Truman • Mac. Arthur was not satisfied with re-capture of South K • He still insisted on waging full war against China – Tries to go over Truman’s head by speaking privately with newspapers/magazines – They said he had no authority to do it • Truman was just as stubborn – April 11, 1951 – fired Mac. Arthur – People were upset that their hero was fired – 69% of Americans backed the General – After he had his glory on return to US, Truman released info about his attempted sabotage – US changed mind and favored Truman

Settling for Stalemate • The Soviet Union unexpectedly suggested a cease-fire on June 23, 1951 – Truce talks began in July 19 • Agreement on two points 1. Location of cease-fire line at existing battle line 2. Establishment of a demilitarized zone • Another year was spent on POW arrangements • July 1963 – Agreement is made and signed

Back to Where We Started – and For What? • • • Korea is still split Border has not changed – still at 38 th parallel Communism still present in China and North Korea US lost 54, 000 lives $67 billion in expenditures to tax payers • Lack of success made America choose a Republican majority Government • Eisenhower elected in 1952 • And in North Korea. . .

Recent Concerns in North Korea

Kim Jong-Il • He was the Chairman of the National Defense Commission • General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea – the ruling party since 1948 • The Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army – the fourth largest standing army in the world. • In April 2009, North Korea's constitution was amended and now implicitly refers to him as the "Supreme Leader”

A New Leader to the Dynasty • Kim Jong-Il died in December of 2011 • His son, Kim Jong-Un is now the new leader of North Korea, and he is just as trigger happy as his father and grandfather, Kim Il-Sung • He is only 29 years old and is already trying to outdo his predecessors by increasing fear in his people and the rest of the world

Answer the Essential Question • What are differences between Chaing Kia-shek and Mao Zedong, and between President Truman and General Mac. Arthur on politics and War on the Korean Peninsula.