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The Entry Of The People's Republic Of China Into The Korean War, Yueliang Shen
The Entry Of The People's Republic Of China Into The Korean War, Yueliang Shen
Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations
China's entry into the Korean War in October 1950 took both its friends and foes by surprise and quickly escalated that conflict into the first major hot war since the start of the Cold War. This thesis analyzes the Chinese decision making process and the factors that led China into the Korean conflict. Official documents, statements, and speeches of American and Chinese Communist leaders between 1945 and 1950 indicate that historical mistrust and animosity, geopolitical considerations, and a breakdown of communications all contributed to the tragic showdown that caused millions of casualties. Extensively used for this study were declassified foreign …