The Entry of China to the Korean War

What happened when China intervened in the Korean War?

China entered the Korean War after UN forces advanced north of the 38th parallel into North Korean territory.

When did China intervene in the Korean War?

In October 1950, approximately 200,000 well-equipped Chinese soldiers crossed the Yalu River into North Korea to help Kim II-Sung's troops.

Why did China intervene in the Korean War?

General MacArthur had wrongly predicted China would not get involved when UN forces advanced into North Korea. China got involved for 3 key reasons:

• ❖ China wanted to ensure North Korea remained communist and would act as a buffer between Manchuria and US-backed South Korea.
• ❖ The USA had broken its promise not to cross the 38th parallel, so China was concerned the troops would continue advancing north and cross the Yalu river.
• ❖ When Stalin and President Mao of the People's Republic of China met in October 1950, Stalin encouraged Mao to act quickly to stop the UN forces' advance in North Korea.

What were the key events in China's intervention in the Korean War?

There were 5 key events in the Chinese intervention in the Korean War.

• ❖ As MacArthur led the UN troops further into North Korea and advanced towards the Yalu river, which ran across the Chinese border, President Mao warned China would join the war if they continued further.
• ❖ By the middle of October, MacArthur and the UN forces had almost destroyed the North Korean army and continued their advance north towards China's border. There is speculation MacArthur did this on purpose to provoke China.
• ❖ China launched a surprise attack on the UN soldiers; it had now officially entered the war.
• ❖ On 25th October, PRC forces attacked UN soldiers at Pukchin; on 1st November, they defeated UN troops at Unsan.
• ❖ The UN forces continued to face defeats into 1951, and by March they had been driven back below the 38th parallel into South Korea. Chinese and North Korean troops had re-captured Seoul.

What was the impact of China's intervention in the Korean War?

China's intervention had a negative impact on the UN's campaign in North Korea. The UN had successfully driven North Korean troops out of South Korea and almost destroyed Kim II-Sung's army. However, China's entry turned the tide of the war, and now the UN troops were on the retreat.

What was the response of the USA to China's intervention in the Korean War?

President Truman and General MacArthur responded very differently to China's intervention in the Korean War.

• ❖ Truman was concerned about China's entry and felt 'containing' communism and successfully defending South Korea was a satisfactory outcome. There was no need to further antagonise China. He also believed a war with China would bring Stalin into the conflict, which could ultimately lead to the use of nuclear weapons.
• ❖ MacArthur was at odds with Truman's thinking. Even though Truman told him not to, he sent UN troops back into North Korea. He wanted a united Korea and wanted China to surrender. He believed the USA should use the nuclear bomb if it was necessary.

What were the results of China's intervention in the Korean War?

China's entry into the Korean War had 3 key results:

• ❖ President Truman sacked General MacArthur.
• ❖ Truman had changed his strategy in Korea and wanted to limit the scale of the war.
• ❖ By March 1951 the Chinese advance had been halted, and UN forces recaptured Seoul. By the middle of 1951 there was a stalemate; neither side could advance, and faced each other across the 38th parallel.

What was the significance of China's intervention in the Korean War?

China's intervention in the Korean War was significant as their actions drove back UN forces and led to a stalemate. Their entry also widened the scope of the Cold War in Asia, involving China in a more significant way.