The Korean War, 1950–53 Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
In June 1950 containment stopped being a speech and became a war. For three years armies fought up and down a peninsula the size of Britain. They ended almost exactly where they had begun.
10 things to know
- Korea had been ruled by Japan. In 1945 it was divided along a line of latitude called the 38th parallel. The North became communist, backed by the USSR. The South was anti-communist, backed by the USA.
- In 1949 China became communist. The USA feared that all of Asia would follow.
- On 25 June 1950 North Korea invaded the South. Within weeks its army had overrun almost the whole country, leaving only a small area around the port of Pusan.
- President Truman sent American forces. He also took the matter to the United Nations, which voted to send help. The USSR could not veto this, because it was boycotting the UN at the time.
- The UN force came from sixteen countries, but most of the troops were American, and its commander was the American General MacArthur.
- In September 1950 MacArthur landed troops behind enemy lines at Inchon. The North Koreans were driven back across the 38th parallel.
- The UN forces then advanced into North Korea, towards the Chinese border. China had warned against this. In late 1950 it sent a huge army, which drove the UN forces back into the South.
- By 1951 the fighting had settled into stalemate near the 38th parallel. MacArthur wanted to attack China itself. Truman refused, and dismissed him in April 1951.
- An armistice was signed in July 1953. Korea remained divided close to the original line.
- Was containment a success? South Korea was saved from communism, and the USA had shown that it would fight. The attempt to free the North failed, the cost in lives was enormous, and China emerged as a major power.
Worked example
"The Korean War was a success for the USA." How far do you agree? Plan a 10-mark answer.
- Success: the aim of containment was met. South Korea stayed non-communist, the UN acted as the League never had, and the USA showed its allies that it would defend them.
- Failure: the attempt to unite Korea by invading the North brought China into the war. More than 30 000 American soldiers died, and Korea is still divided.
- Judgement: it succeeded as containment, and failed when the aim was widened to pushing communism back.
Tips and tricks
- Learn the war as four moves: the North attacks to Pusan, the UN strikes back from Inchon to the Chinese border, China drives the UN south, and stalemate sets in at the 38th parallel.
- Know why the USSR did not veto UN action: it was boycotting the Security Council over China's seat.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The Korean War, 1950–53: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Along which line was Korea divided in 1945?
North of it was communist, and south of it was not.
When did North Korea invade South Korea?
The war lasted three years.
Where did MacArthur land troops behind enemy lines in September 1950?
It turned the war around.
Which country entered the war when UN forces approached its border?
It drove the UN forces back into the South.
Why was the USSR unable to stop the UN from acting in Korea?Stretch
Its absence let the vote go through.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 16 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The Korean War, 1950–53
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 16 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
Describe the part played by the United Nations in the Korean War.[4]
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The UN condemned North Korea's invasion and voted to send help to the South. Sixteen countries sent troops, though most were American. The force was commanded by the American General MacArthur. It drove the North Koreans back, and later fought the Chinese.
Why did the USA become involved in Korea?[6]
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Truman believed in containment, and an invasion by communist North Korea was a direct challenge to it. China had become communist in 1949, and the USA feared that the rest of Asia would follow. Truman believed that Stalin was behind the attack. The USA also wanted to show that the United Nations would stand up to aggression.
Why did Truman dismiss MacArthur?[6]
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MacArthur wanted to widen the war by attacking China, and was willing to consider nuclear weapons. Truman wanted a limited war and feared that attacking China would bring in the USSR and start a world war. MacArthur criticised the president's policy in public, which challenged Truman's authority as commander.
Answers: The Korean War, 1950–53
- 1. The UN condemned North Korea's invasion and voted to send help to the South. Sixteen countries sent troops, though most were American. The force was commanded by the American General MacArthur. It drove the North Koreans back, and later fought the Chinese.
- 2. Truman believed in containment, and an invasion by communist North Korea was a direct challenge to it. China had become communist in 1949, and the USA feared that the rest of Asia would follow. Truman believed that Stalin was behind the attack. The USA also wanted to show that the United Nations would stand up to aggression.
- 3. MacArthur wanted to widen the war by attacking China, and was willing to consider nuclear weapons. Truman wanted a limited war and feared that attacking China would bring in the USSR and start a world war. MacArthur criticised the president's policy in public, which challenged Truman's authority as commander.