Transcript unit 4 korea and vietnam

Korean and Vietnam Wars
Unit #4 International Conflict
Korean War
• The cold war began to involve more eastern
countries, as Stalin was interested in trade
relations with China.
• China turned communist in 1949 and were
becoming increasingly powerful.
• Also in 1949 Leader of North Korea, Kim Il
Sung had convinced Stalin in Russia and Mao
Tse Tung in China to support them as they
invaded South Korea.
The Reaction of the UN
• The United States highly influenced the UN to
back South Korea from a complete ‘take over’
• The UN sent 300,000 troops – 260,000 of
which were American.
• General Douglas MacArthur, on the defense,
pushed North Korean troops back almost to
the border of China in their initial reaction
China’s Reaction
• China stepped in and sent an additional 200,000
troops armed with Russian weapons
– These troops called themselves ‘the peoples’
volunteers’
• China, Russia and North Korea were united on 2
principals – Dictatorship, and their hatred of the
United States
• Although this war does not seem to have much to
do with the ‘cold war’, the United States and
Russia watched each others moves closely
Cold War Tension
• Officially, the United States were involved in
this incident through the United Nations
• Officially, Russia was involved in this incident
through North Korea
• As it became known of each others influence
on the war, it became more apparent that this
war could be used as a demonstration of
power and influence on a global level.
Korean War Continued
• With the help of the 200,000 Chinese, the
remaining North Koreans pushed the United
States and the UN out of North Korea and
recaptured part of the South.
• Lead Commander, General Douglas MacArthur
urged the President of the United States to
use Nuclear weapons.
The Demise of MacArthur
• MacArthur’s urging to use Nuclear Weapons
became known to Americans, and in turn, to
the rest of the world.
• Truman denied the request, and exercised his
authority as President to relieve MacArthur of
his duties.
1951
• Although Truman did not use nuclear
weapons, he did step up the bombing raids
and attacks on the Chinese and North
Koreans.
• In this process of reclaiming the South, an
estimated 400,000 Chinese and North Koreans
were killed.
• Also, over 50,000 Americans were killed.
Back Home
• The war was highly criticized as a result of the
casualties
• In 1953, Truman lost the election, and Dwight
Eisenhower became president
– A formal truce was announced, and all military
advancements were halted
• An estimated 10 million people died during
this war.
Korean War in a nutshell
Global Reaction
• Both Russia and the United States
demonstrated their influence and exercised
some of their ability in warfare.
• The United States was seen to show restraint
by not using nuclear weapons
– This was also an act of ‘compromise’
• The truce reached between the UN and North
Korea signified more compromise, though too
late.
Vietnam War
• Vietnam was controlled for a century by
France.
• As time progressed, Vietnamese demanded
more self governance, much to the demise of
France.
• Leader of the Vietnamese Nationalist forces,
Ho Chi Minh, deemed Vietnam an
independent country
A context of the times…WW2
• France lost its authority in Vietnam during
WW2 when France was occupied by NAZI
Germany. Japan took control over the country.
• Ho Chi Minh and his nationalist party resisted
the Japanese influence, and began to spread
across Vietnam
French Reaction
• Not pleased with Ho Chi Minh, France decided to
try to take back Vietnam.
• French forces pushed Ho Chi Minh back to
Northern Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh appealed to the United States for
assistance
• The United States refused their plea out of fear
that Ho Chi Minh’s communist tendency may not
be favourable
– The United States backed France instead
Cold War Influence
• The fear of communist rule was a direct result of
the cold war between the democratic United
States, and Communist Russia.
• It was believed that Ho Chi Minh’s communist
ideals would eventually cross paths with Russia –
therefore, the United States did not want to assist
them.
• The States began to support South Vietnamese
politician Ngo Dinh Diem, and ultimately helped
him win the South Vietnam election in 1955
Diem Regime
• This power seemingly proved to be corrupt
time and again.
• Nevertheless, the fear of communist rule led
to continued support of the United States.
• President Kennedy sent military personal to
train the South Vietnamese government to
lead democratically.
• Evidently, this proved to be a failure.
Coup D'état
• The US backed a coup d'état and installed a
new government
– This government was just as corrupt as the
overthrown
Withdrawing Troops
• President Linden Johnston wanted to begin to
minimize the US presence of troops in
Vietnam – however, he wanted to honour
Kennedy’s actions.
• This slight withdrawal lead to Vietnam attacks.
• Once again, heavy warfare ensued and almost
400,000 Americans were fighting in Vietnam.
Fighting
• Though the United States were a big presence
in Vietnam, the guerilla tactics by Vietnamese
were incredibly effective in defending
Vietnam.
• Unconventional methods of weapons were
now being used – napalm, ‘Agent Orange’
•
President Nixon
• Nixon made the promise to the American people
to begin a complete withdrawal of troops in
Vietnam.
• In a last ditch effort to ‘win the war’ Nixon
expanded the geographical bombing area to
neutralize the Viet Cong (Minh’s group)
• He did this illegally as he did not consult
congress.
• This revelation made Nixon look bad, and as a
result, Nixon felt he had to act quickly to
withdraw troops. Peace talks began.
Opportunity Knocks
• The peace talks ultimately gave the North
Vietnamese an opportunity to strike.
• In April of 1975, Nixon resigned, and North
Vietnam successfully took over the South –
ending the Vietnam War.
•
The Global Result
• After years of violence and unrest, Vietnam
achieved its goal
• The United States involvement proved to be
pitiful at best.