Topic 15: Cold War conflicts in Asia

This section looks at the impact of the Cold War on Asia. There is a lot of overlap with this topic for Paper 3 and the Superpower rivalry topic for paper 2

Specifically this topic covers the following areas:

  • Events in Malaya 1948 - 1960
  • The Korean War and its impact on the peninsula
  • The Vietnam conflict up to 1975
  • Cambodia from Sihanouk to the collapse of the Khmer Rouge and its impact up to 1993
  • Afghanistan 1979 - 1992

1. The Korean War and its impact (ATL)

There is a lot of overlap in this section with Paper 2 Topic 12 Superpower tensions and rivalries. Also with the American region Topic 16. We will link to these sections where appropriate.Also see the...

2. The Malayan Emergency (ATL)

This page looks at the causes and development of what the British called The Malayan Emergency. This is an example of a successful campaign against Communist insurgents and thus is a very different story...

3. The Vietnam conflict (ATL)

This page covers the Vietnam conflict from before the Second World War to the departure of the Americans in 1975 and the subsequent political and economic development of the country. There is considerable...

4. Cambodia (ATL)

Cambodia was seen as a 'sideshow' to the Vietnam War; however by the 1970s events inside of Cambodia had resulted in the rise of a deadly communist group called the Khmer Rouge whose rule was to lead...

5. Afghanistan (1979 - 1992) (ATL)

This page covers the fighting in Afghanistan that started in 1979 with the Soviet invasion of this country. We have also covered the causes of the conflict in European region Paper 3 Topic 16 ATL: Khrushchev...

6. Cold War conflicts in Asia: Videos and activities

On this page you will find videos for Cold War conflicts in Asia along with activities and questions. Other videos can be found on the ATL pages relating to the specific conflicts.This episode gives a...

7. Cold War Conflicts in Asia: Essay writing frames and exercises

This page contains a variety of essay writing exercises and essay plans for this topic.Task One: Essay planningIn pairs, plan the following essay: Evaluate the impact of foreign powers on the causes and...

8. Cold War conflicts in Asia: Graded student examples

On this page you will find sample essays on this topic, written by students and graded by examiners. We have also suggested activities that can be done with these essays.To what extent was the Soviet...

9. Cold War conflicts in Asia: Extra resources

On these pages you can find useful websites for this unit along with historians' texts that students might find enjoyable to develop their understanding further. We have also included fiction and movies...

All materials on this website are for the exclusive use of teachers and students at subscribing schools for the period of their subscription. Any unauthorised copying or posting of materials on other websites is an infringement of our copyright and could result in your account being blocked and legal action being taken against you.