the Cold War in Asia

  • General MacArthur appointed as SCAP in Japan

    oversaw occupation and reconstruction of Japan
  • Period: to

    french indochina war

    Ho Chi Minh declared independence for Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) as whole of Vietnam but controlled only some rural areas. Viet Minh (communist-led coalition with Ho) in rural areas vs France and anti-communists in urban centers.
    •1950: USSR and China now communist) recognized and armed DRV's army with modern weapons; USA recognized State of Vietnam and funded 75% of French army expenses.
    •Mar-May 1954: Viet Minh won decisive victory vs France at battle of Dien Bien Phu
  • General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade

    promote international trade by reducing trade barriers. USA joined later to promote trade with communist China.
  • france recognise state of vietnam

    France forced to recognize nominal independence of State of Vietnam with puppet leader (ex-emperor Bao Dai) but controlled mostly main urban areas.
  • white paper

    strategy to support nationalist forces in Taiwan secretly as to avoid upsetting USSR
  • Japanese economic reconstruction

    economic advisor Joseph Dodge and finance minister Hayato Ikeda worked to create a directive with plans for economic reconstruction. this included: regulation of trade and foreign exchange, stricter lending criteria, price freezes, efficient taxation. had a target of 157 million yen. Japan joined the GATT in 1955 and was prevented from trade with communist china.
  • Communists win Chinese civil war

    Mao Zhedong's victory over Jiang Jieshi's (Chiang kai-shek) nationalist forces (KMT). Jieshi forced into exile in Taiwan and asks for support from the US, who secretly support him and the KMT. this undermined Mao's aim of uniting communist china
  • Stalin gives military aid to Kim

    Stalin had previously told Kim not to invade South Korea, but gave his approval in march 1950. Kim visit Moscow and then Beijing to get the support of both leaders. the ussr agreed as it was in a stronger place with the atomic bomb. Stalin provided: 1600 peices of artillery, 258 T-34 tanks and 178 military aircraft to Kim. he did not send troops to avoid military confrontation with the US, but soviet pilots an planes bombed the US/UN/SK forces.
  • Defensive perimeter strategy

    military defence border including Japan and the phillipines but omitting Korea and Vietnam. proposed by Dean G. Acheson
  • Sino-Soviet alliance

    Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance: established a cooperative relationship between the 2 communist nations.
    this was after the Chinese civil war in which communist forces beat nationalist forces. this was a containment failure for the USA and led to the defensive perimeter strategy.
  • NSC-68

    national security council resolution 68 announced urgency in building political, economic and global power. this marked a globalisation of the Cold War.
  • Period: to

    the Korean War

    see timeline
  • San Fransisco Peace Treaty

    treaty between Japan, the US,UK and France.
    the treaty did not:
    -restrict economy
    -restrict politics
    -blame Japan
    -restrict arms
    -impose reparations. the treaty did:
    -recognise Japanese sovereignty
    -renounce claims to neighbouring territories (eg Korea)
    give us access to military bases and full control of Okinawa
    -right to intervene in Japanese politics if necessary. PM Shigeru Yoshida knew that Japan was vital in the US containment policy, saw an oppouttuiny to take back more control.
  • Japan established National Safety Agency

    National police reserve: 75,000 strong
    NSA: 110,000 ground troops, 7600 maritime troops
    JF Dulles wanted Japan to build up ground forces. by July 1954 they had 140,000 self defence forces that were given $240 million from the US.
  • US-Japanese military alliance

    signed on 8 September 1951, but effective in 1952. allowed US to keep military bases in Japan, prohibited Japan from providing foreign powers any bases or military-related rights without the consent of the United States, allowed the US to use military forces stationed in Japan without prior consultation with the Japanese government and did not mention any requirement for U.S. forces to defend Japan if Japan were to be attacked
  • laos and cambodia delcare independence from france

    adds to the French Indochina war.
  • Geneva conference

    Aimed to end the Indochina war. Created 2 zones along the 17th parallel, with the US-French in the South and nationalists in the North. Not intended to be permanent, and national elections were set for 2 years time. Ngo Dinh Diem became the first president of south Vietnam in 1955, refused to sign any peace agreements.
  • Geneva agreements

    DRV with Ho's Viet Minh north of 17th parallel, and State of Vietnam with Bao Dai backed by USA in south. Elections planned for 1956, but South refused (thought Ho chi Minh was too popular) . ended French Indochina war. French withdrew august 1954.
  • Diem overthrows Bao Dai

    rigged October 23, 1955 referendum in South Vietnam, where a campaign of propaganda and suppression led to PM Diem being declared the winner, resulting in Bao Dai's removal and the establishment of the Republic of Vietnam with Diem as its first President.
    On October 26, 1955, Diem proclaimed the Republic of Vietnam (south) under the 17th paralell.
  • North Vietnam decides to use violence

    Late-1958: End of consolidation of communism phase
    = 1959: decision to use military force to overthrow Diem's regime and reunite country. Support of anti-Diem groups, as economy/communism was strong enough
  • NLF (vietcong) established

    NLF established in SV against Diem's imperialism (Diem seen as a France/US puppet) to reunite Vietnam. Nationalist movement with Nguyen Huu Tho as official leader (but Ho Chi Minh seen as spiritual father) + 10-point programme = not in breach of Geneva agreement (not officially communist + focus on peaceful self-determination). Ho Chi Minh Trail provided NLF with equipment and personnel.
  • general Taylor's report

    recommended counterinsurgency measures:
    increased helicopter force,
    training South Vietnamese Army,
    increasing US combat forces,
    bombing North Vietnam
    up to 10,000 ground troops
    Kennedy responded by increasing counterinsurgency rather than troops, and trained the s.viet army
  • strategic hamlet program

    March 1962: Operation Sunrise: forced relocation of South Vietnamese peasants in fortified hamlets to protect/isolate them fromVietcong.
    3000 hamlets with 4m people by end-1962. Corruption and alienation failure, as people were actually recruited into the vietcong, who did not target them.
    corrupt officials stole money needed for medical aid, fertiliser, etc
  • Buddhist crisis

    Diem favoured Catholics and persecuted Buddhists (majority in Vietnam). he made his brother (Ngo Dinh Thuc0 archbishop of Hue.
    May 1963: Buddhists banned from flying flags for Buddha's birthday protests repression with 9 killed Buddhist leader Tri Quang warned USA against Diem. June 1963 first monk burned himself alive. there were hunger strikes, mass rallies, monks engaged with the US pres.
  • Assasination of Diem

    Aug 1963: US explored alternatives to Diem (telegram to US ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge) but Kennedy confirmed US support.
    September: Robert McNamara and Gen. Taylor to Vietnam: war could not be won with Diem USA reduced support
    1 Nov 1963: South Viet rebel generals activated a coup Diem and Nhu assassinated. it would not have been initiated without the US withdrawng support.

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