The Cold War Finally Thaws Out Korean War (1950-1953) Vietnam War (1963-1973) Afghan War (1979-1989)
Korean war Split after WWII between US and USSR Temporary gov ts created in images of their major allies Reunification of Korea desired by BOTH sides
So Who Gets Control? Kim Il Sung leads North Communist Syngman Rhee leads South Democrat In 1949 the US and USSR agree to leave the country USSR leaves military equipment in the North
Condemning the South Koreans US Sec of State Dean Acheson says the protection of the South is now the UN s responsibility
Invasion and Counter-Punch 25 June 1950 North Korea invades very quickly and pushes for Seoul Battle of Pusan Perimeter (4 Aug 18 Sept 1950) Large-scale battle between United Nations and North Korean 140,000 UN troops were pushed to the brink of defeat were rallied to make a stand against the invading N. Korean army UN forces had been repeatedly defeated by North Korea and pushed back to Pusan Perimeter UN troops hold and North Korea is forced back after a counter attack at Inchon
Move North After the successful counter-attack at Inchon, UN under MacArthur moves north quickly Make it to the Yalu River China threatens US and then gets into the fray pushing UN back below 38 th
Truman and the End of the War MacArthur wants to use nukes makes it public Truman fires him for insubordination UN does not want to get into a bigger battle in China Eisenhower signs armistice 27 July 1953 - DMZ created but no treaty is ever signed
Short History of Vietnam French controlled colony By 1900s the nationalists were starting to fight back Ho Chi Minh, leading Vietnamese nationalist Joined the French Communist party after Lenin took over Russia Started organizing a nationalist resistance against France During WWII, Japan captured Vietnam but the French took it back after WWII Ho Chi Minh tried to get the US to help him against France but the US refused Turns to the USSR for help instead
The 1 st Vietnam War France tries to rebuild empire France held major cities Nationalists had countryside support and use guerrilla fighting Loss at Dien Bien Phu (1954) Nationalists defeat the French Result: Splits Vietnam on the 17 th parallel North is Ho Chi Minh s South is lead by Ngo Dinh Diem Agreement for general election that the US refuses to agree to (afraid of communists)
The Aftermath Diem ruled the S like a dictator Vietcong Communist guerrillas who opposed Diem s rule and the division of Vietnam Diem assassinated in 1963 by a group of S. Vietnamese generals Take over by the Vietcong seemed inevitable
Domino Theory Idea put forth by Eisenhower Said that the SE Asian nations were like a row of dominos The fall of one country to communism would lead to the fall of its neighbors Theory becomes a justification for US intervention during the Cold War
Gulf of Tonkin Incident 2 Aug 1964 North Vietnam attacked USS Maddox LBJ decides to escalate the war US troops now on the front line By 1965 US troops were in combat and US planes were bombing N. Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Resolution President can take all necessary measures to prevent further Communist aggression in SE Asia
US Difficulties Many peasants were rebels Knew the land, US soldiers did not More people were willing to help them Problem for the US because it turned all villages into military targets Unpopular to attack civilians North was aided by USSR and China Were vicious in their attacks but there was retaliation
US Tactics Napalm mixture of thickening/gelling agent and petroleum for an incendiary device Widely used as an anti-personnel device Agent Orange herbicide used on trees and vegetation in Vietnam Air Power When the US could not win a decisive land battle they turned to carpet bombing N. Vietnam
Tunnel System One of N. Vietnam s greatest advantages was the tunnel system dug during French occupation Main reason the US could not pin them down Allowed Vietcong to move quickly and to disappear if bombing started Tunnel Rats American and British soldiers who were small enough to fit in the tunnels Went in with a knife, silenced side-arm, and flashlight to kill Vietcong in the tunnels
Khmer Rouge in Cambodia Communist rebels who set up a brutal gov t under the leadership of Pol Pot Slaughtered over 2 million people to put gov t in place Supported by the UNITED STATES Vietnamese invaded in 1978 and overthrew the Khmer Rouge Fighting continued 1993 Under UN peacekeepers, Cambodia adopted a democratic constitution and held free elections
Vietnamization Plan devised by Nixon Authorized bombing in Laos and Cambodia to make this work Allowed US troops to gradually pull out while S. Vietnam increased their combat roles Last troops left in 1973
Paris Peace Accords - 1973 US/South Vietnam and North Vietnam negotiate a cease-fire Decision: US withdraws troops North Vietnam agrees to not send in any more troops Let South Vietnam make their own decision 1975 North Vietnam reinvades and conquers the country