Wars of Asia

Wars in Modern Asia

• Korean War

• Vietnam War

Korean War

What was the cause of the Korean War?

• After WWII, Japan lost control of the Korean Peninsula.

• The U.S.S.R took control of North Korea, while the United States controlled South Korea.

• The two superpowers could not agree on how the peninsula would be governed– U.S.S.R- communist– U.S.- did not want communism to spread– North Korea attacked South Korea. The U.S. asked

the U.N. to help stop the communists.

Who was involved and how?

• North Korea fought and was supported by the U.S.S.R and Communist China

• South Korea was supported by the United Nations, which included the U.S., Great Britain, Australia, and Turkey

• Fighting lasted from 1950-1953

How has the war effected the countries?

• The war ended in an armistice, or a truce.

• They kept the 38th parallel as the boundary between North and South Korea

• Today South Korea is a successful Republic, while North Korea remains a communist country

Interesting Facts

• In 1953, Korean War prisoners were brought to the bridge that links the two nations. At that moment they were forced to decide whether or not to spend their lives in North or South Korea. Once they crossed they could never go back.

• No one has crossed the bridge in a decades.• The Koreas are still “officially” at war since a

peace treaty was never signed.

Summary: Korean War • In WWII, U.S.S.R. took control of Northern

Korea and U.S. had freed Southern Korea (democratic).

• Northern Korea tried to take over southern Korea, so the U.S. and U.N. sent troops to avoid the spread of communism.

• An armistice (cease fire) was signed in 1953, and Korea remains divided into two countries at the 38th parallel.

Vietnam War

What were the causes of the Vietnam war?

• France wanted to control Vietnam after WWII, but Japan had gained control during the war. However, the communist Viet Minh took over the north.

• The French nor the Vietnamese wanted the country to be communist, so they fought a civil war.

• The French lost and the communist North, took over the south Vietnam.

• The U.S. became involved to stop the spread of communism.

What countries were involved and how?

• U.S.S.R and China gave weapons, supplies, and military advice to North Vietnam.

• U.S. supported South Vietnam. At first Americans just sent supplies and advisors, but eventually sent large numbers of troops.

• The U.S. pulled troops out before the war had ended.

How has the war affected the country?

• When the U.S. left the war continued until the South was conquered by the communists.

• Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the famed communist leader.

• Vietnam remains a communist country today.

• Many people say that the people there are now better off than ever before.

• Their economy is progressing and growing.

Interesting Facts • Ho Chi Minh trail

was a key route used by the Viet Kong, Communist guerilla warriors, to transport food and military supplies. It would take three months to make the entire journey.

Summary: Vietnam War

• There was a three way civil war between French, communist, and non-communist, which lead to the division of Vietnam at the 17th Paralell.

• North Vietnam (communist) began to invaded Southern Vietnam (non-communist), so the U.S. sent troops.

• After years of fighting, the communist forces captured the South Vietnamese and took over the country.

• Describe the leader Ho Chi Minh. How is he different from other communist leaders?

• Why was the U.S. interested in the Vietnam War?

• What was the domino principle?

• How long did the war last?

Japan’s History of Conflict

In the Early 1900’s

• Who did Japan ally with during WWI?

• U.S., Great Britain, and France to defeat Germany

• How did this help them?

• It allowed them to expand their holdings of ex-German colonies

Timeline:• 1923• Great Kano Earthquake hurt Japan’s economy• 1930’s• Military took control of Japan’s government• 1937• Japan invaded China• U.S. would not trade oil with Japan because of their

relationship with Nazi Germany and French Fascists. • 1941• Japan bombed U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. U.S.

entered WWII

World War II

• 1942• Japan won victories in East Asia and South

Pacific, but lost in Battle of Midway • 1943• Lost a battle on Guadalcanal island which

turned the tide of war• 1945• The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Atomic Bombs

• Hiroshima - August 6, 1945• Nagasaki - August 9, 1945

Tokyo before WWII

Tokyo AfterJapan’s infrastructure was destroyed. Public systems such as transportation, industry and

communications had to be rebuilt.

Japan After WWII

• Japan’s economy and government were destroyed.

• Many people were left homeless and without jobs.

Economy• What helped Japan rebuild?

• Values of hard work and saving money

• How did the U.S. help?

• Loans and financial advice

• When did Japan match prewar levels?

• Mid 1950’s

• How is Japan’s economy similar to the U.S?

• Encourage free enterprise which motivates people to expand their businesses with little government interference

Women and the Economy• What role do women play in Japan’s economy?

– Participation in work force has grown since WWII

– However, women still do not have equal opportunities and few hold management positions

– Women are still looked at as homemakers.

Japan Today

Japan’s New Economy

Due to the limited natural resources, Japan had to import raw materials to make goods to export.

Items made by Japan• Cars• Computers• Electronics• Motorcycles

Japanese Perks

• They want their employees to stay with their companies for life, like a family.

• Japanese companies offer competitive salaries and many company perks: – Gyms– On site pools– Exercise classes– Group songs, etc

Government • When did the U.S. unoccupy Japan?• 1952• How did the constitution change?• Similar rights to U.S. • Free Speech• Will not be aggressors of war• How did the government change?• Constitutional monarchy• Emperor was removed from power• Emperor is a symbol of state…no power