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Soviet sucessful testing of atomic bomb
Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb. US had not expected the USSR to develop atomic capabilities until mid 1950 - 1951 -
Period: to
The Korean War
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'Fall of China'
Communist victory in China by the Chinese Communist Party. The USSR had a new ally and China was just beside North Korea and will play a major role in the Korean War -
Acheson's Defense Perimeter Speech
Acheson's Defense perimeter speech included the countries that the US will aid if they are in danger. Acheson did not mention the Korea Peninsula as part of the all-important "defense perimeter" of the United States. This might have influenced Stalin's approval of Kim II Sung's proposal to take over South Korea by force -
Stalin's Approval
Stalin finally approved Kim II SUng's proposal to invade South Korea. Again, before the defense perimeter speech he was afraid to go against the US and was catious with his Kim's proposals, even rejecting them several times, but he agreed to it after the defense perimeter speech. -
Sino - Soviet Treaty
Sino - Soviet Treaty was signed. This treaty had an important influence over the Korean War. This treaty meant the Soviet's recognition of communist China and now the USSR and China were allies. This was important later on during the Koran War when Truman Considered using atomic bomb in the Korean War. Because he did not want to go to war with China and the USSR he did not use the atomic bomb. -
Reapprisal of US Policy
The reapprisal of US policy led to NSC 69 (Recommendations which were only fully implemented 2 years later) which suggested the confinement of communism to where it existed, the gradual erosion of Sovie influnce and power within the Soviet sphere, Ultimate downfall and transformation of the Soviet system and proposed a substantial increase in US military strength. -
The Korean War
The North Korean army smashed thorugh into South Korea. The Korean War had began. North Korea was secretly backed by the USSR but made sure the US did not know as Stalin was not prepared to go to war against the US yet. The Korean War also marked the militarisation of the Cold War -
The UN
US sponsored resolution in the security council. This resolution was not vetoed by the USSR as it was boycotting UN meetings as the UN did not recognise communist China. Hence, US gained the support of the UN quite easily. The fact that the UN managed to pass a resolution within 2 days of the start of the Korean War highlights US' influence over UN. -
US enters
US troops stationed in Japan were ordered to enter Korea and fight back against the Communist North Korea. The US' fast response to North Korea's invasion highlights US's determination to contain communist. -
Intelligence Report
US's intelligence reports said that neither the USSR nor China would intervene in the Korean War. Truman believed this reports and changed US' policy from containment to rollback. Highlights the nature of the Korean War as a imited war as Truman's unwillingness to challenge the USSR and China shows unimportant interest in Korea. However, this report was flawed and the Chinese forces were massing beyond the Yalu River -
China enters
MacArthur continued his offense and 260 000 Chinese troops poured across the Yalu River. Previously this chinese troops were grossly underestimated at 30 000. This changed the Korean War into a regional conflict. UN forces suffered 11 000 casulties in 2 days in which 3000 troops were US troops. Truman briefly considered using atomic bomb against the Chinese forces but then rejected the option of an all-out war with China -
Operation Killer
UN forces began to enjoy limited success on the ground. A powerful counter-attack Opertaion Killer had been launched -
Operation Ripper
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Peace Talks
On July 1951, Peace Talks began. However this Peace talks dragged on for 2 years mainly because of 2 reasons.
1) Stalin's influence urging Mao and Kim to extract further concessions from the US in return for the end of the war
2) The prisioners of War issue. Kim and Mao rejected the principle that the POW should not be returned to their native countries against their will. This shows that if the prisoners had the right to choose, they would choose CAPITALISM over COMMUNISM. -
Stalin's death
Stalin died on March 1953. This had a major impact on the peace talks. As Stalin was influencing the peace talks causing it to drag for 2 years, Once he died, the Peace Talks progressed very quickly and lasted only for 4 more months. -
Sabotage attempts
Syngman Rhee's attempt to sabotage the peace talks by releasing the prisoners of war. He wanted US to help him unite Korea through force. This is a attempt by the minor power to manipulate the major power but failed. -
Armistice
An Armistice was finally argreed on to halt fighting
