Evaluate the impact of the Cold War on the outbreak and development of either the Korean War or the Vietnam War.

There are two parts to the question, both of which need to be addressed. When evaluating, candidates should appraise rather than merely list the reasons for and types of impact. Responses should consider the impact of both Cold War and internal tensions on the outbreak of their chosen conflict. Similarly they should consider whether the Cold War factors contributed to the duration and outcome of either conflict.

Indicative content

Korea

• Border conflicts between the North and the South had been frequent since the withdrawal of occupying troops in 1948 (Soviet Union) and 1949 (US). Both Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee wanted to be leader of a reunited Korea.
• Kim Il Sung invaded South Korea in June 1950; he did so after receiving (after much persuasion) the approval of Stalin possibly because the US Defense Perimeter Speech suggested that the US had no interest in fighting to defend South Korea. Thus it could be argued that the initial conflict was an internal one about control of Korea and was not caused by Cold war tensions.
• The war rapidly became a Cold War conflict with the US calling a meeting of the UNSC and, due to the absence of the USSR, being able to pass a resolution condemning the invasion. Truman was concerned about the spread of communism in Asia and believed that Kim was acting on Stalin’s orders.
• Truman persuaded an initially reluctant Congress to approve the recommendations of NSC 68, which led to American assumption of the dominant world role in containing the spread of communism. Truman was keen to demonstrate that he was not soft on Communism after the “loss” of China in 1949.
• The Cold War had a significant impact on the development of the war since the US provided the greatest number of troops in the UN forces commanded by US General MacArthur. When UN forces approached the Yalu River, Cold War tensions contributed to the Chinese decision to actively support North Korea with 300,000 “volunteers”.
• Stalin’s involvement was very limited as he had no wish for a direct conflict with the US but recent interpretations suggest he supported a proxy war, with China pitted against the US.
• Despite intensive fighting the conflict became a stalemate by 1951 Truman was now committed to a limited war in Korea. Eisenhower took a similar view although there was some worry that he might sanction the use of atomic weapon if peace talks which had begun in 1951 continued to stall. An armistice was signed in July 1953 with the division of Korea along the 38th parallel. Cold war tensions had prolonged the war and to some extent prevented a permanent peace.
• Candidates could argue that the Cold war was a significant factor in causing the conflict although many Koreans desired a reunified country. Recent interpretations place much emphasis on the actions of Kim Il Sung causing the conflict in order to extend his power to South Korea. They may also point out that the involvement of the US and the Chinese were very much a consequence of Cold War factors.

Vietnam

• After the 1954 Geneva Conference, the Vietminh were persuaded to accept the temporary division until after elections in 1956. Elections were not held in the South and by 1959, there was active Viet Cong guerrilla warfare against the government of President Diem. North Vietnam wanted unification under Communism and worked to undermine Diem’s corrupt,
  US-supported regime. This meant that concerns about superpower areas of influence were influential in the build up to the outbreak of war.
• Kennedy regarded Vietnam as vital to US security. US advisers were present in South Vietnam carrying out “search and destroy” missions. Kennedy’s commitment was shaped by his stance as a “Cold Warrior” and US supported prevented the collapse of the regime in South Vietnam.
• By 1965, it was clear that the South could not survive without direct US military assistance. Johnson used the Tonkin Gulf Incident in 1964, to escalate the number of US forces in Vietnam and to authorize bombing raids on the North. The North was supported by China and the Soviet Union and was able to continue the guerrilla war in the South.
• Changing Cold war alignments allowed Nixon to gain Soviet and Chinese support for peace talks on Vietnam with a ceasefire arranged for January 1973. By 1975 South Vietnam had been taken over by the North and Vietnam was reunited.
• It could be argued that Cold War issues led to US, Chinese and Soviet involvement prolonging the conflict. However, it could also be argued that improved relations between the US, China and the Soviet Union helped bring the war to an end.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]