Each actor shaped the war. Choose one and weigh its role against the others.
Whose role was most important in causing and shaping the war?
Kim Il-sung
- Repeatedly pressed Stalin to approve an invasion.
- Launched the attack of 25 June 1950.
Kim's drive to reunify Korea started the war.
He could not have attacked without Soviet approval and weapons.
Stalin and the USSR
- Approved the invasion in early 1950.
- Supplied weapons and advisers, but avoided open combat.
Stalin's approval made the invasion possible.
He passed responsibility to Mao and limited Soviet involvement.
Mao and China
- Consented to the invasion in May 1950.
- Intervened massively in October-November 1950.
China's intervention turned the war into a long stalemate.
China did not start the war and entered only when UN forces approached its border.
Truman and the USA
- Committed forces through the UN within days.
- Crossed the 38th parallel in October 1950.
The US response internationalised the war and its advance north brought China in.
The USA responded to the invasion rather than causing it.