Cold War in Asia
Chinese Civil War A. Began after WWI it is between the Nationalists and
Communists1. Nationalists
a. Led by Chaing Kai-Shekb. Favored democracyc. Supported by the US
2. Communistsa. Let by Mao Zedongb. Promised redistribution of land and free
education for allB. Communist won in 1949
1. Americans are stunned by the result
Korean War A. Began after WWII
1. Korea was once under Japan’s rule2. After WWII (1950) Korea was spilt at the 38th Parallel a. North Korea established by the Soviet Union b. South Korea established by the US
Start of the Korean War B. Start of the war1. June 25, 1950- North Korea invades South Korea2. N. Korea takes over all of S. Korea except for an area sounding the city of Puson3. The UN votes to defend S. Korea
a. The Soviets were not present to protest b. 16 nations sent troops- But the US supplies
90% of the troops
Korean War C. US enters the War
1. September 1950, UN forces counterattack at the city of Inchon (behind enemy lines)
a. Cut off N. Korea’s supply routeb. Chase N. Korea beyond the 38th parallelc. By November 1950, UN forces push N.
Korea back against the Yalu River; the border of N. Korea and China
End of the Korean War2. China helps N. Korea fight back
a. In January 1951, China and N. Korea push the UN and S. Korea back behind the 38th parallel
3. War continues for 2 years in a stalematea. In 1953, US President Eisenhower threatens to use the atomic bomb- N. Korea signs a truce
Impact D. Impact of the war1. America loses 58,000 soldiers in the war2. Truce is drawn at the exact spot the war
started- 38th parallel3. First war the US military was desegregated 4. Americans learned that the US military will
be stations throughout the world to practice containment.