What this lesson teaches
I can judge how far the superpowers got involved in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and what difference it made.
Syllabus K336, The Cold War, Learning Outcomes. Evaluate the extent and impact of superpowers involvement in civil wars with reference to the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
I can weigh up how the rise of communist China in 1949 raised Cold War tensions in Asia.
Syllabus K336, The Cold War, Learning Outcomes. Assess the impact of the emergence of Communist China on Cold War tensions.
Make a guess
By October 1950, UN forces were pushing north towards China's border. What do you think China did?
- Asked the UN to finish the war quickly so that trade could resume.
- Stayed out, because it had just ended its own civil war.
- Sent in large numbers of troops and drove the UN forces back.
Show the answer
Sent in large numbers of troops and drove the UN forces back.
Mao feared losing a communist neighbour and hostile troops on his border. Chinese attacks saved North Korea from defeat.
Chinese troops saved North Korea from defeat in late 1950, and by 1951 the war had become a stalemate near the old line.
As UN forces advanced through North Korea towards the Chinese border, Mao feared losing a communist neighbour and having hostile troops next to China. Chinese forces entered in October 1950 and launched major attacks later that autumn. They drove UN forces back and saved North Korea from defeat. But saving the North did not give China and North Korea the strength to conquer the South.
By 1951, the front line had settled roughly near the old dividing line. This was a stalemate: neither side could easily win, though heavy fighting went on. Attacking China itself might break the deadlock, but it risked a much bigger war involving the USSR. Truman refused this escalation, or widening of the war.
So talks about a ceasefire, a halt to fighting, took place while battles continued. Wanting talks did not mean the two sides agreed on terms, so talks dragged on for two years.
The USSR supplied equipment and secret air support; Soviet pilots' role was hidden. A proxy war is one where rival outside powers compete by backing opposing forces. That describes part of the Korean War, because the USA and USSR backed opposing Korean sides without openly fighting each other. But it is not the whole story. American and Chinese troops fought each other directly, and Korean leaders pursued their own aims.
- October 1950
- Chinese forces enter the war.
- Stalemate, from 1951
- Front near the 38th parallel; neither side can win.
- Proxy war
- Big powers back opposing sides instead of fighting openly.
Worked example: Saving is not winning
Explain why China could save North Korea without reuniting Korea.
- Chinese troops push UN forces back and keep the North alive.
- UN and South Korean forces are still strong enough to hold the South.
- Neither side can force the other to give up, so talks begin.
Watch out for this
Stalemate meant the fighting stopped in 1951.
Heavy fighting went on until 1953. Stalemate meant neither side could win.
Check your understanding
Why did China enter the Korean War?
- China wanted to help the UN reunite Korea under a non-communist government.
- UN forces were nearing its border and threatening a communist neighbour.
- American planes had bombed Chinese cities, so China struck back.
Show the answer
UN forces were nearing its border and threatening a communist neighbour.
Yes. Mao feared losing North Korea and having enemy troops next door.
Check your understanding
Why did China enter the Korean War in October 1950?
- The USA had bombed Chinese cities in September 1950 after the Inchon landing.
- UN forces had crossed the 38th parallel and were advancing towards the Yalu River.
- North Korea had already beaten South Korea and asked China to help occupy it.
Show the answer
UN forces had crossed the 38th parallel and were advancing towards the Yalu River.
China saw a threat to its own security.