Download The Korean War

The Korean War
Subtitle
Korean History
Prior to WWII, Korea was one nation that had been invaded both by
China and Japan.
From 1910-1945, Korea had been a Japanese colony governed by a
harsh system of laws.
After WWII, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel.
North Korea was governed by communist leader, Kim Il Sung,
supported by the Soviet Union.
South Korea was a democratic-republic backed up by the United
States.
Communists Invade
In June of 1950, North Korean soldiers swept across the 38th parallel
into South Korea.
President Truman, standing by his containment policy, asked the UN to
send armed forces to Korea to stop the invasion. The UN agreed to set
up a force, under the command of Douglass MacArthur, who was
appointed by President Truman. About 80% of the UN force was made
up of American soldiers.
Communists advance
At first, UN forces were outnumbered as well as poorly supplied. North
Koreans were armed with new Soviet tanks and began to steadily push
Southward. By August 1950, communists troops controlled almost all
of south Korea
MacArthur attacks
General Douglass MacArthur launched a daring counterattack. He
landed by sea at Inchon (near the 38th parallel), behind North Korean
lines. Caught by surprise, the North Koreans were forced to retreat
back across the 38th parallel.
Originally, MacArthur’s orders were only for him to drive North Korean
forces back across the 38th parallel. However, the United States favored
the idea of a united Korea, free of communist control. Truman
approached the UN about invading North Korea, and won their
approval.
US Invades North Korea
As General MacArthur advanced, the newly communist republic of
China warned that they would not “sit back with folded hands” if the
United States invaded North Korea.
When UN forces neared the Chinese border, thousands of Chinese
troops rushed across the Yalu River into North Korea. MacArthur was
forced to retreat deep into South Korea.
Truman versus MacArthur
By March, 1951, UN troops had regained control of the south.
MacArthur argued that, to win, the UN had to attack China. Truman,
though, feared an attack on China might start a new world war. He
preferred to limit the war and restore the boundary between North and
South Korea.
General MacArthur complained publically that politicians in
Washington were holding him back. “There is no substitute for victory,”
he insisted. Angry that MacArthur was defying orders, Truman fired
him.
Cease-fire
Peace talks began in July of 1951 but quickly came to a standstill.
Meanwhile, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president of the
United States. One of his campaign promises was to get peace talks in
Korea moving again.
Keeping good to his promise, President Eisenhower journeyed to
Korea. By July of 1953, the two sides finally signed a cease-fire
agreement. It set the border between North and South Korea at the
38th parallel, right where it had been before.
Costs of the Korean War
Approximately 54,000 Americans died, as well as 2 million Koreans and
Chinese.
Many of the casualties included civilians after the United States
dropped more bombs in Korea than throughout all of World War II.