The Cold War Heats Up: AsiaThe Cold War Heats Up: Asia

What causes the cold war to heat up in Asia?

Chinese Civil War• Started in 1930s, halted during WW II, restarts 1945

• Nationalists (led by Chiang Kai-shek) v. Communists (led by Mao Zedong)

• US must “contain” Communism, will aid Chiang during Civil War ($2 billion)

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““Loss” of ChinaLoss” of China• Nationalists winning at first but China’s economy worsens

• Citizens are upset with Nationalists, many join Communists

• 1949: Mao wins, creates “People’s Rep. Of China”

• Chiang and what was left of his army flee to island Taiwan, set up “Republic of China”– “Loss of China” = containment policy fails

• Stalin & Mao request UN seat be given to PRC, US vetoes

Korean War [1950-1953]•Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea led by Kim Il-Sung•Republic of Korea led by Syngman Rhee

A Country Divided

• UN splits Korea at 38th Parallel• US sends money to S. Korea (ROK)• Soviets send weapons to N. Korea (DPRK)

Stalin encourages Kim to invade S. Korea, says Truman won’t risk war

After NK crosses 38th Parallel, Truman urges UN to take action!

When Soviets are boycotting UN over Mao, Sec. Council votes to use troops in Korea

The Fighting in Korea

1. North Korea crosses 38th Parallel on June 25th

2. North Korea takes over almost entire peninsula

3. MacArthur arrives with UN army – push NK to China

4. Mao’s Chinese army enters war – pushes UN back into South Korea back & forth for next 2 years

1 432

MacArthur’s SolutionMacArthur’s Solution

• MacArthur urges Truman to drop an atomic bomb on China

• Truman says goal is to get NK out of SK, can’t expand the war

• MacArthur publicly criticizes Truman to Press & Congress

• Truman fires MacArthur – costs Truman support

• War is going back and forth, Truman popularity at 25% in 1952

• 1952: Truman doesn’t run for re-election – Dwight Eisenhower wins presidency

• July 1953: an armistice is signed, ending war, Communism contained in SK

Korean War StalemateKorean War Stalemate