Direct and Indirect Conflict

1. Direct and Indirect Conflict American and Soviet Conflict by Proxy

2. OVERVIEW This lesson examines: • The definition of proxy conflict • Superpower involvement in the Korean War • Long-term patterns

3. Conflict by Proxy Context Question: The US and the USSR rarely came close to direct confrontation. Why?

4. Conflict by Proxy • The USA and USSR did not border each other - the buildup of nuclear weapons was the major form of competition. • Direct confrontation could lead to nuclear war – this possibility acted as a limiting factor

5. Conflict by Proxy • “Proxy” conflict is when one or both superpowers were indirectly involved in conflict; • The superpowers fought against each other in alternate ways or supported forces which were loyal to their side, even though • Such conflicts did not appear to have an influence on the superpowers’ immediate security. • In what other ways might the superpowers compete with each other without using military means?

6. The Korean War

7. MAPS

8. In the United States, the war was initially described by President Truman as a “police action” • It has been referred to in the United States as The Forgotten War or The Unknown War because the issues concerned were much less clear than in previous and subsequent conflicts, such as World War II and the Vietnam War • In South Korea the war is usually referred to as "625" or the 6–2–5 Upheaval, reflecting the date of its commencement on 25 June. • In North Korea the war is officially referred to as the Fatherland Liberation War • In the People's Republic of China the war is called the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea

9. The Korean War The superpowers left Korea in a situation that would lead to future conflict: • The USSR disagreed with the UN’s plan for elections • Syngman Rhee became president of the Republic of Korea (ROK) • Kim Il Sung became leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Koreas (DPRK) • Both leaders claimed jurisdiction over the whole peninsula

10. Background • The Korean peninsula was ruled by the Empire of Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. • Following the surrender of Japan in 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel at the Potsdam Conference, without consulting the Koreans, with US military forces occupying the southern half and Soviet military forces occupying the northern half.

11. The Soviet Union withdrew as agreed from Korea in 1948. U.S. troops withdrew from Korea in 1949, leaving the South Korean army relatively ill-equipped.

12. The Korean War • With Stalin’s support, North Korea launched an invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950 with the goal of unification. • The US gained support of the UN Security Council in the USSR’s absence • Sent soldiers and supplies to South Korea

13. It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War. In 1950 the Soviet Union boycotted the UN’s Security Council, in protest at representation of China by the Kuomintang / Republic of China government, which had taken refuge in Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War. • In the absence of a dissenting voice from the Soviet Union, who could have vetoed it, USA and other countries passed a security council resolution authorizing military intervention in Korea.

14. The Korean War By September 1950, the US and UN forces had pushed the DPRK out of South Korea. The US and UN forces wanted to unify Korea under a friendly government. In what way might the Soviets and the Chinese have responded and how did they justify their involvement?

15. The Korean War Context Question: During WWII, when faced with the possibility of large casualties in the attempt to invade Japan, what option did the US choose and why?

17. The Korean War In early 1950, China had pushed the US and UN below the 38th parallel. In danger of losing the war, what options did the US have? What would have been the consequences of these choices?

18. To fight and gain as much territory as possible To retreat and give up South Korea To launch a tactical nuclear strike The likely result? The likely result? The likely result? Maintenance of a divided Korea Loss of face and confidence in American leadership Nuclear war with the Soviet Union

19. TIMELINE • 1945 – Korea controlled by Japan • Soviets occupied the NORTH, America the SOUTH • The two halves were divided by the 38th Parallel • 1947 – elections held in the South supported by the US; The North had its own govt. backed by the Soviets • Each government claimed to be the rightful rulers of Korea • Each side was supported by the respective superpower even though they withdrew troops in 1948.

20. TIMELINE • 1949 – China became Communist – supported N Korea • 1950 – N Korea invaded S Korea • Sept 1950 – UN troops into S Korea at INCHON • N Koreans pushed back into N Korea • Oct 1950 Chinese invaded N Korea • UN troops pushed back to S Korea • 1950-51 – STALEMATE around 38th Parallel • April 1951 – MacArthur removed from position – replaced by General Omar Bradley

21. TIMELINE • Fighting continued until 1952 • 1952 – Truman replaced by Eisenhower • 1953 – Stalin died • July 1953 - Armistice signed

23. Truman Syngman Rhee – SK UN MacArthur Bradley Kim Il Sung - NK Mao Tse Tung Stalin The Key Players

24. The United States of America provided 88% of the 341,000 international soldiers which aided South Korean forces in repelling the invasion, with twenty other countries of the United Nation offering assistance. Suffering severe casualties, within two months the defenders were pushed back to a small area in the south of the Korean Penisula known as the Pusan perimeter. • A rapid U.N. counter-offensive then drove the North Koreans past the 38th Parallel and almost to the Yalu River, when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) entered the war on the side of North Korea. Chinese intervention forced the Southern-allied forces to retreat behind the 38th Parallel. • While not directly committing forces to the conflict, the Soviet Union provided material aid to both the North Korean and Chinese armies. • The active stage of the war ended on 27 July 1953, when the armistice agreement was signed. The agreement restored the border between the Koreas near the 38th Parallel and created the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 2.5-mile (4.0 km)-wide fortified buffer zone between the two Korean nations. • Minor outbreaks of fighting continue to the present day.

26. The Korean War The removal of General MacArthur resulted in the search for negotiations. By Oct 1963: • Around 4 million Koreans had died • The North and South Korea border was near its original 38th parallel • The UN, North Korea and China signed an armistice

27. Long-term patterns Context Question: When the US was faced with communist aggression, how did it respond in Greece, the Berlin blockade and the invasion of South Korea?

28. Long-term patterns After the Korean War, the US had an established goal for its foreign policy: “Containment” The use of economic, diplomatic and/or military means to prevent the spread of communism to other countries

29. Long-term patterns How would the US achieve “containment”? • Economic support of friendly governments • Sponsorship of rebel movements • Use of international support • Military buildup and intervention Would these policies encourage or discourage peace between the superpowers? Explain.

31. SUMMARY QUESTIONS • How were the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War examples of “proxy conflict”? • Why did the US consider the use of atomic weapons in the Korean War? • How was the Korean conflict resolved and what pattern of US foreign policy was established afterwards?