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

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

Civil War in China

• collected a grain tax from farmers during a famine

Civil War in China

• Communists skillful in winning support of the peasants

Fighting Breaks Out

• As soon as Japanese left China-civil war resumed

Fighting Breaks Out

• Truman refused to commit American soldiers

Fighting Breaks Out

• Nationalist problems:

Fighting Breaks Out

• May 1949-

America Reacts to Communist Takeover

• American public stunned

• Containment failed

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

Koreans go to War

• Japan ruled Korea until 1945

Koreans go to War

• 38th parallel not intended as a permanent boundary

• 2 different nations emerged-one communist, one not

Koreans go to War

• North becomes Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

• Headed by Kim Il Sung

North Korea Attacks South Korea

• June 25, 1950 North invades South-Begins Korean War

North Korea Attacks South Korea

• June 27, 1950-UN pledges to help South Korea

US Fights in Korea

• NK unstoppable at 1st

MacArthur’s Counterattack

• MacArthur launches counterattack

• Sept 15, 1950 UN troops land at Inchon

MacArthur’s Counterattack

• Many NK troops surrendered

• Many fled back behind 38th parallel

MacArthur’s Counterattack

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

The Chinese Fight Back

• 11/25/1950- 300,000 Chinese move into NK

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China

• Calls for extension of war into China-to end the stalemate

• Blockade Chinese coast

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China

• Truman rejects MacArthur’s request

• Didn’t want US involved in a massive land war in Asia

MacArthur Recommends Attacking China

• Instead of attacking China – UN forces advance against Korean forces

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:

Settling for a Stalemate

• July 1953- two sides sign an armistice ending the war

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

Effects of Korean War

• 54,000 Americans killed• Cost between $20 and

$22 billion