Download Document One – The CIA assessment of the Soviet

Document One – The CIA assessment of the Soviet Union’s role in Korea
Notes: The CIA believed the Soviet Union had encouraged North Korea to invade South Korea.
The CIA felt the Soviets were trying to expand their sphere of influence in the region. The CIA felt
that the Soviets believed the US would not intervene alone and if they did this would be seen as
an act of imperialism.
Intelligence Memorandum No. 302 – Central Intelligence Agency
July 8, 1950 - DECLASSIFIED
Subject: Consequences of the Korean Incident
I. Soviet Purposes in Launching the Northern Korean Attack
A. Apart from immediate strategic advantages, the basic Soviet objectives in launching the
Northern Korean attack probably were to: (1) test the strength of U.S. commitments to our policy
of containment of Communist expansion; and (2) to gain political advantages for the further
expansion of Communism in both Asia and Europe by undermining the confidence of nonCommunist states in terms of the value of U.S. support.
B. The Soviet estimate of the reaction to the North Korean attack was probably that: (1) U.N.
action would be slow and cumbersome; (2) the U.S. would not intervene alone with its own forces;
(3) South Korea would therefore collapse promptly, presenting the U.N. with little alternative; (4)
the episode would therefore be completely localized; and (5) if there is fighting it could be
portrayed as U.S.-instigated aggression and the Northern Korean victory would be seen as a loss.
Document Two – Kim Il-Sung’s memo to Stalin stating why North Korean troops should not listen to
the United Nations and stay in South Korea
Notes: DPRK is Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). USSR is Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (Soviet Union). The United Nations demanded that the North Korean troops
retreat back to the 38th parallel line. The North Korean leader wanted to get assurances from the
Soviets that both his government and the Soviets did not accept this UN Resolution and that it
should be taken to the Security Council. North Korea felt it must rid the Korean Peninsula of
American Imperialism.
To the Extraordinary DPRK Ambassador from the USSR, Comrade Shtykov, and Comrade Stalin.
I ask you to transmit to the Government of the USSR the following:
In regard to the appeal of the United Nations General Assembly to the Government of the USSR
about the demand of withdrawing troops of the Korean People's Army to the 38th parallel, the
Government of the DPRK considers, as does the Soviet Government, that such a demand of the
United Nations is impertinent and unacceptable.
We are in full agreement with the opinion of the Soviet Government that the Korean question
should be discussed in the Security Council with the participation of the USSR and China and with
the summoning of representatives of Korea.
The Government of the DPRK will take measures quickly to clear the entire territory of Korea of all
American interventionists.
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the DPRK,
Kim Il-Sung.
Document Three – President Truman’s reaction to the invasion of South Korea
Notes: President Truman agreed with the UN Resolution calling for the return of North Korea’s
troops to the 38th Parallel. Truman considered the action unlawful and stated the US would do
what ever it takes to assist their allies in South Korea.
President Truman's statement about Korea, June 26, 1950
I conferred Sunday evening with the Secretaries of State and Defense, their senior
advisors and the Joint Chiefs of Staff about the situation in the Far East created by
unprovoked aggression against the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
The government of the United States is pleased with the speed and determination with which the
United Nations Security Council acted to order a withdrawal of the invading forces to positions
north of the thirty-eighth parallel. In accordance with the resolution of the Security Council, the
United States will vigorously support the effort of the Council to terminate this serious breach of
the peace.
Our concern over the lawless action taken by the forces from North Korea, and our sympathy and
support for the people of Korea in this situation, are being demonstrated by the cooperative action
of American personnel in Korea, as well as by the steps taken to expedite and augment
assistance of the type being furnished under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.
Those responsible for this act of aggression must realize how seriously the government of the
United States views such threats to the peace of the world. Willful disregard of the obligation to
keep the peace cannot be tolerated by nations that support the United Nations Charter.
Document Four – Letter from Stalin to Mao after China & North Korea push the US troops out of
the North.
Notes: After American forces began to push the North Korean’s back into their own country, Mao
Zedong and China entered the war. With the blessing of Stalin and the Soviet Union, Mao’s army
along with North Korea pushed back the American troops it what was becoming a war much like a
ping-pong game. Back and forth.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM - BEIJING - SOVIET AMBASSADOR
To transmit to Comrade MAO ZEDONG
Comrade MAO ZEDONG
I received your telegram No. 3153.
I thank you for the information about the state of affairs in China, in connection with the successful
offensive of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Korea.
Your successes gladden not only me and my comrades in the leadership, but also all Soviet
people. Allow me to greet from the soul you and your friends in the leadership, the People's
Liberation Army of China and the entire Chinese people in connection with these enormous
successes in their struggle against the imperialistic American troops.
I have no doubt that in the war against the up-to-date and well-armed American army the Chinese
army will receive great experience in contemporary warfare and will turn itself into a fully up-todate, well-armed, formidable army, just as the Soviet Army in the struggle with the first-classarmed German army received experience in contemporary warfare and turned into an up-to-date
well-equipped army.
I wish you further successes,
Stalin
Korean War Group Document Analysis
Group Members:1.
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Period_________
Use the documents on the Korean War that your group has read to answer the following questions.
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1. Why does the CIA believe the Soviet Union encouraged North Korea to attack South
Korea? Please state the two reasons that are given.
2. According to the CIA, what did the Soviet Union estimate the response of the UN/United
States would be?
3. What did Kim Il-Sung think about the UN’s demands on North Korea (DPRK)?
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4. What was Kim Il-Sung’s ultimate plan for Korea?
5. What was President Truman’s opinion of North Korea’s attack?
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6. What will the US do in regard to the Security Council resolution?
7. What did Stalin have to say about China’s role in the Korean Conflict?
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8. What does Stalin compare this war to?
9. Overall, what do you think the Soviet Union’s role was in this conflict?
Whole
Group
10. Judging from the documents, was the UN and United States right to intervene and why?