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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?.
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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) • 140,000 UN troops were pushed to the brink of defeat but rallied at the 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 38th
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
Vietnam War • Before WWII – French controlled • Ho Chi Minh tried to get the US to help him against France but the US refused • US wants to rebuild Europe
The 1st Vietnam War • France tries to rebuild empire • Lose at Dien Bien Phu (1954) • Splits Vietnam in two on the 17th parallel • Agreement for general election that the US refuses to agree to (afraid of communists)
South Vietnam • Declared the Republic of Vietnam with Ngo Dinh Diem as president • The National Liberation Front (NLF), or Viet Cong, established in S. Vietnam • Support Communist movement and Ho Chi Minh • JFK orders 16,000 troops in to aid the South against the Viet Cong
Gulf of Tonkin Incident • 2 Aug 1964 North Vietnam attacked USS Maddox • LBJ decides to escalate the war • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution • The president make take all necessary measure to prevent further aggression in Southeast Asia
A Hard War • Many peasants were rebels • Knew the land • More people were willing to help them • Turned all villages into military targets • North was aided by USSR and China • Were vicious in their attacks but there was retaliation Execution of a Viet Cong
Napalm and Agent Orange • 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
Tet Offensive • 1968 – guerilla forces attacked American and South Vietnamese forces in all across the South • Seen as a military loss for the communists because they didn’t take any cities • Turning point in the public opinion of the war in the US
Paris Peace Accords - 1973 • Cease-fire negotiated • Decision: • US withdraws troops • North Vietnam agrees to not send in any more troops • 1975 – North Vietnam reinvades and conquers the country
Mohammad Zahir Shah • Last king of Afghanistan (1933-1973) • Provided an era of stable gov’t for his country • Including irrigation and highway construction
Communist Revolution • 1973 – Daoud Khan • Considered progressive: rights for women and two five-year modernization plans • 1975 – Muhammad Taraki • Tried to use Marxist land and social reforms but people revolted • Went to the Soviets for assistance • Forced to name Hafizullah Amin as prime minister who then took over the country
The Mujahedeen • Muslim guerilla force created to overthrow the Amin gov’t through jihad
Russians invade Afghanistan but insist they were invited • 27 Dec 1979 – Russians shoot Amin and he is replaced by Babrak Kamal
HIND HELICOPTER • Heavily armored transport • Designed to destroy the jihadists
The US aids the Afghans? • Ronald Reagan sees new Soviet expansion • Challenges it • Gives clandestine aid to MUJAHDEEN via CIA through Pakistan
A Pebble Always Makes a Ripple Effect • Pakistan (multi-ethnic) was worried to give arms to nationalist groups • Only gave aid to Islamist groups • Northern Alliance does our work • Later splinters (well trained) – one bit will be the Taliban
Soviets leave Afghanistan • 15 Feb 1989 – Geneva Accords • Sets timetable for withdraw of Soviet troops from Afghanistan • Ended the 9 year occupation of Afghanistan