Korean War
who was involved?
South Korea + united states
vs.
North Korea + China
Who was involved?
the soviet union and the United States
Who was involved?
North Vietnam backed by the USSR
South Vietnam backed by the United States
NATO
- an attack on one country was an attack on all members
- offered protection in wars from smaller countries if they stayed democratic
- founding members (helpful to know a few): Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the *United States*
- the united states policy on communism
- keeping communism in the countries it already was in, not letting it spread
- an indirect action against the soviet union
Which country did General MacArthur try to expand into the war?
China
What was the Soviet's goal?
to increase strategic influence in the region by deploying nuclear missles in Cuba
Viet Cong
- Soviet backed south Vietnamese fighting force that fought against USA in their territory
- communist
- showed issues with the war, and brought attention back to America
- made people wonder if this war was even to aid the Vietnamese or rather just to help the USA in the broader context of the Cold War
iron curtain
- a term coined by Winston Churchill - prime minister of England during a cold war period
- meant that there was a metaphorical curtain (division) of Europe between the east (communist), and the west (democratic)
- marking the beginnings of the decade long cold war
Truman Doctrine
- it meant that the USA would get involved in other countries fights if it meant stopping the spread of communism
- keeping communism where it was, and not allowing it to overtake any other countries
Which U.S president made the decision to send troops to Korea?
Harry S. Truman
How many days did the crisis last?
13 days
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
North Vietnamese forces attacked U.S naval destroyers stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. In response to these incidents, Lyndon B. Johnson was granted permission by Congress to increase the U.S. military presence in Indonesia.
Division of Germany
- separated Germany into American, French, British and Soviet territory
- also put up a wall seperating the USA (democratic), and the Soviet Union (communist)
Marshall plan
- proposed by secretary of state George Marshall
- a European economic recovery plan- the USA would provide money and aid to nations in Europe after world war 2
- In return these countries could not convert to communism or support the USSR
Communism
The ideology promoted by North Korea is the opposing force to the democratic government of South Korea. Ultimately, the underlying cause of the whole war. The goal of North Korea's attack on South Korea was to spread communism.
What fear did this instill in people?
- People thought this would lead to a nuclear war
Tet Offensive
A series of surprise attacks by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on South Vietnam. With the increased use of technology, lots of these attacks were filmed and seen by the American people, which led to anti-war beliefs because of the casualties and devastation being caused that they were not aware of.
Warsaw Pact
- counter action against NATO
- intended to ensure communist and soviet control over eastern Europe
- *unlike NATO, it dissolved after the cold war*
- founding members (good to know a few):the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania
Arms Race
- a period of intense build up of weapons
- particularly nuclear
- showed that the the two countries could and would attack if need be at any moment
- this ended up deterring both countries against actually attacking because of fears of mass destruction
Battle of Inchon
The US launches a surprise landing at Inchon, cutting off North Korean forces and allowing allied forces to recapture Seoul. This altered the course of the war, helping the UN forces push North into North Korea
Krushchev's Letters
Agent Orange
The U.S forces dropped chemicals on Vietcong positions to clear their military positions. It caused widespread environmental damage and health consequences for civilians. It's known as one of the most controversial and damaging parts of the war.
Berlin Blockade
- a period of time between June 1948 and May 1949
- soviets blocked roads surrounding west (usa) berlin so they could not bring in food and other resources
- the united states air lifted in these necessities until the USSR gave up and re opened roads to the united states
Flexible Response vs Massive retaliation
- Kennedy's and Eisenhower's cold war policies
- Massive Retaliation: aimed to stop aggression because of the vast amounts of nukes the USA had access to, so if the Soviets ever attacked the USA, we would retaliate even harder
Flexible Response: more versatile response to aggression, not nearly as reliant on nuclear weapons. Aimed to deter aggression through building up the military, and through diplomatic or economic conflict responses.