World History IASbaba

World History Module-IASbaba
Korean War (1950-53)

The fear of communism led the US to intervene in the affairs of Asian countries and the cold
war was brought to Asia. US came in conflict with anti-colonial nationalist struggles for
freedom and with many independent nations which were trying to strengthen their national
independence and to assert their independent role in world affairs.
Korean War The first war in which US was directly involved
In June 1950, war broke out between the two, each side blaming the other for the
war.
UNSC agreed that the war was started by North Korea & (UNSC) assisted South
Korea due to Soviet Unions decision at the time to boycott the United Nations for
its refusal to admit China.
North Korean armies swept across almost entire South Korea within two months;
The Capital had fallen during the first three days of the war.
US army, navy, and air force intervened in the war and North Korean troops were
pushed back
US forces carrying the war in North Korea Chinese troops moved in and US troops
were forced back.
The war entered a stalemate. There were negotiations for an armistice in which India
played an important role. The armistice was signed in July 1953 which restored the
position that existed before the war.
In spite of heavy casualties, Korean War is remembered as a localized war with

obvious dangers of it turning into a general war.
General Mac Arthur who led the US troops wanted to invade China. US might have
used atomic weapons in the war.
US post Korean War, gradually got itself entangled in another civil war.
The US supported the South Vietnamese government against North Vietnam, which
was backed by Soviet Union and China.
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The Vietnam War (1954-1975)

Vietnam divided
Vietnam had been a French colony. After WWII, Vietnamese rationalists and communists led
by Ho Chi Minh, fought against the French
1954 French pulled out and Vietnam was divided in two
North Vietnam: Ruled by communists
South Vietnam: Ruled by anti-communists leader Ngo Dinh Diem
1959 Communist government of the North decided to encourage a revolution in South.

Southern communists who fled had fled to North, returned to fight. These forces were
known as Vietcong.
South Vietnam used to get aid from US and US policy was based on the domino
theory Belief that, because neighbouring states are so interdependent, the
collapse of one will lead to collapse of others. Americans used this theory as a
justification of their involvement in foreign states (particularly in South-East Asia
likely to taken over by the communists)
November 1961 America started providing wide-ranging support for the Southern
army including American soldiers as combat advisors. Americans were unhappy
because Diem couldnt defeat the communists in the North. Diems clash with local
Buddhists further annoyed US.
With US approval, a group of South Vietnamese generals overthrew Diem in a coup

in November 1963.
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The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
1964 North Vietnamese forces marched along what became known as the Ho Chi
Minh Trail to support the Vietcong.
August 1964 American involvement increased after the clash with North Vietnam
at the sea. An American destroyer was attacked by North Vietnamese ships near the
coast of North Vietnam Gulf of Tonkin Incident
American Congress passed a resolution giving the President power to take all
necessary steps, including the use of armed force in order to defend South Vietnam.
Arrival of US ground troops

Early 1965 American bombers regularly attacking targets in the North
July 1965 America sent 180,000 troops to Vietnam. Over the next three years, the troops
were increased to 540,000.
Arrival of large number of American soldiers stopped the collapse of South Vietnam
& strengthened the position of the new South Vietnamese leader, General Thieu.
North Vietnam was regularly bombed by the Americans; however, American tactics
brought little success.
American forces had the technology to win straightforward battles with tanks &
massed infantry. The Vietcong & North Vietnamese soldiers refused to fight this kind
of war; relied on guerrilla tactics: sabotage and sudden ambushes
America bombed the supply lines and destroyed the areas of countryside where
communist soldiers might be hiding.
This angered the ordinary people of Vietnamese countryside & increased support for
the Vietcong & Ho Chi Minh.
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The Tet Offensive
Jan 1968
North Vietnam launched a massive attack at the time of Tet (A religious festival)
They attacked the American Embassy & Southern capital of Saigon
The communists hoped that the Tet Offensive would spark a popular revolution in
the South This did not happen and communists side had to face huge losses;
50,000 thousand communist troops were killed.
The historic centre of the ancient city of Hue was destroyed and many civilians were
killed.
The Tet Offensive was a turning point in the war- helped the North to win the war in
the long run.
Many American politicians and people became disillusioned with the war as a result
of the violence of the attack & clear determination of the communists.
The anti-war movement in US grew in strength and they began to think that they
could not win the war in Vietnam.
Peace Talks
March 1968 US President Johnson admitted that he failed in Vietnam. He reduced the
level of bombing in the North and called for peace talks.
Peace talks began in Paris in May 1968. The peace talks got nowhere but it was clear
that US wanted a way out.
Nixon was elected President in November 1968 & he was determined to end the
war.
Challenge for Nixon To find a way out of Vietnam without humiliation or the clear
abandoning of South Vietnam
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He tried to persuade North Vietnam that North Vietnamese soldiers should

withdraw from the south at the same time as American troops. North Vietnamese
refused to make a deal.
He also tried to persuade the USSR and China to use their influence over the
government in the North. The USSR & China saw no reason to try to help the
Americans over Vietnam.
He reduced the number of American soldiers and insisted that more of the fighting
should be done by South Vietnamese. This policy of passing responsibility of South
Vietnam was known as Vietnamisation.
Atrocities at My Lai
1969 It came to be known that US troops had carried out an appalling atrocity against
Vietnamese civilians.
16 March 1968 American soldiers massacred the villagers of a place called My Lai
Atrocities at My Lai fuelled the anti-war feelings of many Americans. This caused increasing
numbers of demonstrations in America and many people to question why their country was
fighting in Vietnam.
Did Vietnamisation work?
The South Vietnamese forces were not strong enough to defeat the communists. He
had little support from the ordinary Vietnamese people in the countryside.
1969-1973 US dropped over half a million tons of bombs on Cambodia. This

contributed to the support for the ruthless Cambodian communists known as Khmer
Rouge.
Communists won control of Cambodia in 1975. The communist force known as

Pathet Lao gained support in Laos and took control of the whole country.
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The 1973 Ceasfire
1972 The communist launched another all-out attack on the cities of the South, similar to
the Tet Offensive. This attack was more successful than the Tet Offensive but they were still
not able to conquer the main centres of population. Neither side could see any hope of
victory and the peace talks started to make some progress.
Jan 1973 A ceasefire was agreed and the Americans started to take their troops home.
The Fall of South
The American forces pulled out soon after the cease-fire agreement was signed. This
was the end of US involvement but not the war.
Two years after the agreement in Paris the North launched another major offensive
against South Vietnam in March 1975.
The Vietcong and the army of the North swept victoriously through the South. The
war effectively ended o 29 April 1975 when the communists captured the southern
capital of Saigon.
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Arab Conflict (1956)

Cause of conflict in the Arab world during the post-war period
Hostility of US and her allies to the spread of Arab nationalism, done in the name of
preventing communism
The western countries determination to retain their control over the oil resources of
this region was great. The state of Israel, the main ally of the US was another major
source of tension in this area.
November 1947 UN had agreed to partition Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state
14th May 1948 Britain, which held Palestine as a mandate, withdrew from there before
partition could be affected. The Jewish state of Israel was proclaimed which was recognized
by US the very next day (War)
Arab-Israel war (1956)

Arabs were deprived of their lands and homes, and over a million of them had to live as
refugees in other Arab countries.
29th October 1956 Israel invaded Egypt, and British and French troops landed there the
next day, to occupy the Suez Canal. The British-French-Israel invasion of Egypt was
condemned all over the world. Soviet Union issued an ultimatum to the invaders to
withdraw from Egypt and threatened to use missiles to defend Egypt.
7th November 1956 British-French military operations in Egypt were ended and their
troops were withdrawn. Egypt & Israel agreed to a cease-fire.
1967 Another war broke out between Israel on one side and Egypt, Jordan and Syria on
the other The Six Day War
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The Arab states were defeated and Israel occupied the
Egyptian territory in the Sinai Peninsula
Palestinian territory on the west bank of the river Jordan
Gaza strip
A part of the territory of Syria
Established control over the entire city of Jerusalem
1973 Another Israel-Arab war; Oil producing Arab states announced that they would stop
shipment of oil to countries which were supporting Israel (US and NATO allies)
European members of NATO refused to align themselves with US, and US was
compelled to persuade Israel to agree to a cease-fire.
Israel refused to vacate the Arab territories that she occupied during the wars.
Post 1956 War
Egypt turned to Soviet Union for help in building the Aswan Dam and arms.
Colonel Abdul Naseer of Egypt also tried to strengthen Arab unity by uniting various
Arab states.
US alarmed at this development, proclaimed what is called the Eisenhower
Doctrine US decided to give economic and military aid to the countries in the
region to protect them from what it called international communism
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Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

One of the most serious crises in the history of post WWII Installation of
nuclear missiles in Cuba
The development of nuclear weapons had been accompanied by the development of

new systems of delivery.
US had set up these missiles aimed at soviet targets at the bases in which she had in
different parts of the world. The Soviet Union had no bases outside and her missiles
sites were within her own territory.
January 1959 Revolution in Cuba under the leadership of Fidel Castro
US turned hostile to Cuba when the new government started

1. Adopting radical social and economic measures,
2. Introducing agrarian reforms and
3. Nationalizing industries
4. The new government also had friendly relations with Soviet Union and China
US broke off diplomatic ties with Cuba and stopped economic relations in January 1961
April 1961 US landed 2000 Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba to overthrow the Cuban
government. The invasion ended in fiasco and it was crushed within two days.
October 1962
US found out that Soviet Union was building missile sites in Cuba which is less than
150 km from the southernmost part of the US.
The installation of missiles in Cuba would bring US territory within easy range of
attack Security threat to US
This created a war like situation between US and Soviet Union.
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US announced a naval and air blockade around Cuba. US also prepared to launch an
attack on the missiles sites in Cuba.
26th October 1961 The crisis ended Soviet Union would remove her missiles from
Cuba if US pledged not to attack Cuba. US agreed to withdraw missiles which she had
installed in Turkey, close to Soviet territory.
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Russian Revolution
"Russian Revolution" is the collective term for a pair of revolutions in Russia in 1917, which
dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the eventual rise of the Soviet Union. The
Russian Empire collapsed with the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II, and the old regime
was replaced by a provisional government during the first revolution of February 1917
(March in the Gregorian calendar; the older Julian calendar was in use in Russia at the time).
In the second revolution that October, the Provisional Government was removed and
replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government.
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Causes:
Despotism of Czar
Corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy
Lack of political rights
Economic crisis
Discontent amongst the workers and regular strikes
Between 1905-1917, political events of Russia like
the formation of Duma
inability of its leaders
the impact of WW-I on Russian economy further aggravated the situation
Political Classification:
The political class of Russia was divided into two major parties1. Social Revolutionary party- leading peasants
2. Social Democratic Party- leading workers
Mensheviks - Bourgeosie class
Bolsheviks- Working class; influenced by the writings of Tolstoy, Turganev,

Tostovesay, Maximgorky, Bakunih and Karl Marx
Chain of Events to Russian Revolution:
During the course of WW-I, Russia suffered a lot. More than 6 lakh Russians were
killed in just three years which weakened the position of Czar Nicolas II.
Due to this the revolutionists (especially Mensheviks) became active. They took the
advantage of socio-political condition and also of the fact that non-Russian citizens
were concerned about the Czars policy of Russification.
The Jews, Pols, Finns, Uzbeks, Tartars, Kossacks and Armenians were important
ethnic groups concerned with Russification policy.
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February 1917, the Mensheviks attacked the palace of Czar and captured the throne.
The kingship was abolished and they declared some political rights for Russians
Prisoners were freed,
Freedom of speech was granted,
The workers got the right to form associations etc.
Bolsheviks were not satisfied with the political changes only. In April 1917, Vladimir
Ilytich Lenin returned from his self-exile from Switzerland (Marxist ideology)
Organized the industrial workers in the major towns of Russia that includes St.
Petersburg and Moscow
Strengthened the Soviets( Association of workers and peasants)
Distributed pamphlets which helped in raising the Red Army
Goals:
To end the war
All private land to be nationalized
Factories to be owned by workers/state and production to be
controlled by the state
All non-Russians would have equal rights
Banks to be centralized and nationalized
Lassiz faire to be abolished
All independent trading companies to be made the member
of the syndicate
In October 1917, the Bolsheviks attacked the winter palace and captured sensitive places.
Lenin was declared the leader.
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Condition post revolution:
From 1917-21, the changes that were forced, led to clashes between the
landlords and the peasants;
capitalists and the workers;
revolutionaries and the bourgeoisie
pro-revolution and anti-revolution elements in Russia
This led to a civil war from 1917-24

In 1921
Lenin introduced New Economic Policy (NEP) and brought some drastic changes on
economic front:
Big and heavy industries were nationalised,
Dams and canals were made under state control,
Major banks and financial institutions, schools and universities and their curriculum was
also brought under the control of the state
However, small traders and manufacturers were allowed to do their business as private.
Land reforms were brought and the power of Kulaks (Big landlords) was crushed
The land was distributed amongst the farmers
Non-agricultural land was brought under cultivation
Cash crops were encouraged and so was cooperative farming
Later under the rule of Stalin, planned economy was introduced.
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Significance:
If French revolution is important for political rights, the Russian revolution is

important for economic and social rights.
Russian revolution is considered as the biggest political event of the 20th century by
many historians as it translated the socialist thought into action and the workers got
importance in the country.
Russian revolution had a profound impact on the intellectual movement of Europe.

The scholars started criticizing the capitalist economy and most of them were
inspired by the success of the Russian Revolution.
In colonies like India, many youth were inspired by Communist ideology.
The painters, sculptors, poets and movie makers got a new theme i.e. the industrial
workers and their struggle.
It can be said that in many ways, Russian Revolution was a complete Revolution.
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China After 1949

After communist victory over Kuomintang in 1949, Mao Zedong set about rebuilding a
shattered China
Russia: helped out at first, but in late 1950s relations cooled and Russian aid was reduced
1958 Mao introduced the Great Leap Forward, in which communism was adapted to
meet the Chinese situation Emphasis on
Decentralization,
Agriculture,
Communes and
Contact with the masses
Mao became highly critical of the Russians for they were not following Marxist-Leninist
principles- the capitalist rod in both foreign and domestic affairs
1960s These disagreements caused a serious rift in world communism, which was only
healed after Gorbachev became Russian leader in 1985
The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution

Mao tried to bring about rapid change
Chinese economy in 1958
Collective farms or communes were set up in the countryside
New factories were built- this attempt to increase output rapidly was called the
Great Leap Forward, though it was not successful.
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Increase the political power
By organizing a period of turmoil between 1966 and 1969, known as Cultural

Revolution
Young radical followers of Mao, called Red Guards, toured the country terrorizing
people in senior positions. Amidst the chaos, Mao was able to remove many
opponents from power.
The Cultural Revolution badly damaged the Chinese economy, also harming Chinas
relations with the outside world. China had a very poor relationship with the USA
throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Post Cultural Revolution

China & USA began to look again at the relationship. The US president in the early 1970s
was Richard Nixon and he was keen to build a good relationship with China. USA recognised
the government of China for the first time.
Post Maos Death
Power struggle began between radicals and moderates post Maos death, and was
eventually won by the moderates, led by Den Xioaping who emerged as undisputed
leader.
The Gang of Four (Radicals) were blamed for the chaos of the Cultural Revolution
and imprisoned.
Was responsible for some important policy changes, moderating Maos hard-line
communism and looking towards Japan and the capitalist West for ideas and help.
This aroused resentment among the Maoist supporters.
1980s Den abandoned many of the ideas of communist economics and encouraged
free enterprises and competition. At the same time there was no increase in free
speech.
1989 Pro-democracy movement developed among students. Encouraged by

Gorbachevs glasnost policy in USSR, student started protesting in Beijing.
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Demonstrators camped in Tiananmen Square, Beijing (Peking) and demanded free
speech, free elections and an end to corruption in the communist party.
Army was moved and order was restored. The communists remained in firm control.
There were successful economic reforms but no political reforms.
The leaders of pro-democracy movement were arrested and imprisoned. After the
Tiananmen incident, the government continued with its policy of Western-style
economics but with little political freedom.
Deng continued as supreme leader until his death in 1997.
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World History Module-IASbaba

Korean War (1950-53)

Korean War The first war in which US was directly involved

In spite of heavy casualties, Korean War is remembered as a localized war with

World History Module-IASbaba

The Vietnam War (1954-1975)

North Vietnam: Ruled by communists

South Vietnam: Ruled by anti-communists leader Ngo Dinh Diem

1959 Communist government of the North decided to encourage a revolution in South.

With US approval, a group of South Vietnamese generals overthrew Diem in a coup

World History Module-IASbaba

Arrival of US ground troops

World History Module-IASbaba

They attacked the American Embassy & Southern capital of Saigon

World History Module-IASbaba

He tried to persuade North Vietnam that North Vietnamese soldiers should

Did Vietnamisation work?

1969-1973 US dropped over half a million tons of bombs on Cambodia. This

Communists won control of Cambodia in 1975. The communist force known as

World History Module-IASbaba

The Fall of South

World History Module-IASbaba

Arab Conflict (1956)

Arab-Israel war (1956)

World History Module-IASbaba

Egyptian territory in the Sinai Peninsula

Palestinian territory on the west bank of the river Jordan

A part of the territory of Syria

Established control over the entire city of Jerusalem

Post 1956 War

US alarmed at this development, proclaimed what is called the Eisenhower

World History Module-IASbaba

World History Module-IASbaba

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

The development of nuclear weapons had been accompanied by the development of

January 1959 Revolution in Cuba under the leadership of Fidel Castro

US turned hostile to Cuba when the new government started

This created a war like situation between US and Soviet Union.

World History Module-IASbaba

World History Module-IASbaba

World History Module-IASbaba

Corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy

Lack of political rights

Discontent amongst the workers and regular strikes

Between 1905-1917, political events of Russia like

the formation of Duma

inability of its leaders

the impact of WW-I on Russian economy further aggravated the situation

Mensheviks - Bourgeosie class

Bolsheviks- Working class; influenced by the writings of Tolstoy, Turganev,

Chain of Events to Russian Revolution:

World History Module-IASbaba

Prisoners were freed,

Freedom of speech was granted,

The workers got the right to form associations etc.

Strengthened the Soviets( Association of workers and peasants)

Distributed pamphlets which helped in raising the Red Army

World History Module-IASbaba

landlords and the peasants;

capitalists and the workers;

revolutionaries and the bourgeoisie

pro-revolution and anti-revolution elements in Russia

This led to a civil war from 1917-24

Big and heavy industries were nationalised,