Before 1950 → Stalin → not interested → in helping Kim.
- this however changed ⇒ in light of developments related to cold war.
- Both superpowers → sought to expand → global influence → especially in Asia-Pacific region.
- Having control + influence over North Korea → would provide USSR → with platform to spread communist ideology + counterbalance US’s influence in Japan
- When communist China emerged under Mao → Stalin had also gained → a powerful ally → which had a border with North Korea.
- signing of Sino Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance, and Alliance → in Feb 1950 → also reflected USSR’s greater confidence → in cooperating with China.
- If there was conflict in Korea → seemed likely → Mao would be responsible for supplying troops + support them for North Korea.
- At same time → would be problem for US to deal with
- Mao → wary → of getting involved in Korea.
- however he was keen to show → that new China → was forced to be reckoned on the world stage.
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Still → Stalin and Mao ⇒ prob would not have acted in Korea → without the actions of Kim
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For many years → Kim seen as puppet of Stalin and Mao → historians questioning now
- because Kim had large army of well trained and experienced troops. Many North Koreans had fought alongside Mao’s communists in war against Chiang’s nationalists. They were eager to reunify Korea.
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Through Determination + skill → Kim → gained Stalin and Mao’s support.
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can be seen from documents → that emerged after collapse of USSR.
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Documents from Russian archives → Show that between March + April 1950 → Kim effectively changed → Stalin’s mind about support invasion of South Korea
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Historians → pointed out → Stalin not keen to attack + matters might have turned out differently → if not for Kim’s persistent and determined advocacy → for invasion of South