Ch. 18 Cold War Conflicts

Section 2:

The Cold War Heats Up

China Becomes a Communist Nation

For 2 decades in China:• the Nationalist

government, led by Chiang Kai-shek

• fought against the communists, led by Mao Zedong, for control of China.

China

• The US gave $3 billion in aid to Chiang to fight the Japanese during WWII.

• The American people thought that Chiang was brave BUT…

• US officials saw that his government was corrupt and inefficient.

China

• In 1944 when city dwellers protested against a 10,000 % increase in the price of rice, Chiang’ s secret police open fire on them.

• Chiang lost the support of his people.

China

Mao won popular support by:

• helping to improve food production

• encouraging peasants to learn to read

Chinese Civil War

• When WWII ended, the Nationalists and the Communists resumed their civil war.

• The US tried, but failed to negotiate peace.

• In 1949, the Communists won control of China.

• The US provided $2 billion in military aid but did not send troops.

China

• Chiang and the Nationalists were forced to flee to Taiwan.

• Mao set up a Communist government, the People’s Republic of China

American Reaction

• Critics blamed Truman for the communist takeover of China.

• State Dept. said: US intervention would have led to a world war

Korean War

Korean War

• During WWII, Japan controlled Korea.

• At the end of the war, the Soviet Union invaded the north and the USA invaded the south.

• Korea was divided at the 38th parallel.

Korean War North Korea:• Communist government• Led by Kim il Sung• Capital was Pyongyang

South Korea:• Not communist• Led by Syngman Rhee• Capital was Seoul

Korean War

The war began June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea.

1. The North Koreans pushed the UN army down to Pusan.

2. South Korea was almost overrun.

Korean War

Pres. Truman wanted to act quickly.

• He did not want to wait on Congress to debate the issue.

• He decided to use the United Nations and bypass Congress.

• He knew that the Soviets were boycotting the UN Security Council & could not use their veto.

Korean War

• 16 UN nations participated.

• 90% of the troops were American

• Douglas MacArthur was chosen as the Commander of UN forces in Korea.

Korean War

MacArthur chose to launch a surprise invasion at Inchon.

1. It trapped North Koreans behind UN lines

2. At the same time, troops at Pusan launched a counterattack.

Korean War

• Half of the North Korean forces surrendered

• The rest retreated north of the 38th parallel

• The UN army then invaded North Korea and pushed the enemy up to the border of China (at the Yalu River)

Korean War

• The Chinese foreign minister warned the US not to approach their border (Yalu River)

• The Chinese wanted North Korea as a buffer zone

• In Nov. 1950, 300,000 Chinese troops invaded North Korea and pushed UN forces back below the 38th parallel.

Korean War

• At times, the Chinese outnumbered UN forces 10 to 1.

• January 1951, UN forces had been pushed south of the 38th parallel.

• MacArthur said that China’s entry into the war change the “nature of the war” and proposed a new plan.

Korean War

MacArthur’s Plan

1. Bomb China, using the atomic bomb if necessary

2. Blockade the coast of China

3. Use Chiang Kai-shek’s army to invade mainland China

MacArthur wanted to “take back” China.

Korean War • Truman rejected the

plan because the Soviets had a made a pact to protect China.

• Attacking China could lead to World War III.

• Instead of attacking China, UN forces would defend SK at the 38th parallel.

MacArthur vs. Truman

• MacArthur continued to push the issue. • He thought that he could “go over the president’s

head and appeal to public opinion.• He spoke privately with members of the press

and Republican leaders.• The Pentagon warned Mac that he had to follow

orders.• When Mac continued to criticize Truman,

Truman fired him for insubordination.

MacArthur V. Truman

• Americans were outraged that Mac had been fired.

• Some people wanted to impeach Truman.• Congress investigated and agreed that

Truman had acted appropriately.• Gen. Omar Bradley said that a war with

China would be the “wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy”.