What this lesson teaches
I can judge how the Cold War played out in Korea and Cuba, as the superpowers competed and looked for allies.
Syllabus 8838, Theme I, Learning Outcomes. evaluate the manifestation of the Cold War conflict across different contexts over time
Make a guess
Kim Il-sung asked Stalin to back an invasion of the south. Stalin refused in 1949. Why do you think he agreed in early 1950?
- He wanted to provoke a direct war with the USA in Asia.
- The UN had asked him to reunite Korea.
- China's revolution, the Soviet bomb and US signals made the risk look lower.
Show the answer
China's revolution, the Soviet bomb and US signals made the risk look lower.
Acheson's speech seemed to leave Korea outside the US defence line. Stalin still made Kim get Mao's consent.
Kim Il-sung started the war with Stalin's approval and Mao's consent; the USA responded through the UN.
Kim Il-sung repeatedly asked Stalin for permission to invade the south. Stalin refused in 1949, fearing an American response. In early 1950 he agreed, after the communist victory in China, the Soviet atomic test and Acheson's speech suggested the risk was lower. He insisted that Kim also obtain Mao's agreement, which Kim did in May 1950.
On 25 June 1950, North Korean forces invaded the south and quickly captured Seoul. Evidence from Soviet archives, opened in the 1990s, shows the attack was planned with Soviet approval and advisers.
Truman decided that the attack must be resisted. The UN Security Council, which the Soviet delegate was boycotting over China's seat, condemned the invasion and called on members to help South Korea. US forces fought under a UN command led by General Douglas MacArthur.
On 27 June, Truman also sent the US Seventh Fleet into the Taiwan Strait. He increased aid to the Philippines and to the French in Indochina. The response was regional containment in Asia, not only the defence of Korea.
- Invasion
- 25 June 1950.
- Soviet boycott
- Allowed UN Security Council resolutions to pass.
- Seventh Fleet
- Sent to the Taiwan Strait, 27 June 1950.
Real examples to use
Kim in Moscow, April 1950
Stalin approved the invasion on condition that Mao agreed. Kim then visited Beijing in May and won Mao's consent.
UN Resolutions 82-84, June-July 1950
The Council demanded withdrawal (25 June), urged members to help the South (27 June) and set up a US-led unified command (7 July).
Seoul falls, 28 June 1950
North Korean forces took the southern capital within three days, which shows how unprepared the South was.
Worked example: Explaining Stalin's change of mind
Why did Stalin approve the invasion in 1950 after refusing in 1949?
- Balance of power: the Soviet atomic test in August 1949 ended the US monopoly.
- Asia: the communist victory in China strengthened communism in the region.
- US signals: Acheson's speech suggested Korea was outside the US defensive perimeter.
- Risk-sharing: Stalin required Mao's consent, so China would carry the burden if the war went badly.
Watch out for this
The Soviet Union planned the Korean War and forced Kim to invade.
Kim initiated and pushed for the war. Stalin approved and supported it, and Mao consented, but the drive came from Kim's aim to reunify Korea.
Check your understanding
Why could the UN Security Council act quickly against North Korea in June 1950?
- China used its veto to support action.
- The Soviet delegate was boycotting the Council and could not veto.
- The USSR voted in favour to avoid a wider war in Asia.
Show the answer
The Soviet delegate was boycotting the Council and could not veto.
Right. The USSR was protesting China's seat being held by Taiwan.