Download Korea (WW II * Present Day)

Korea (WW II – Present Day)
End of World War II

1945 Japan loses World War II

United States and the Soviet Union agree
that Korea should be independent.

Both countries send troops to ensure that
Japan leaves the country.
Occupation of Korea

Soviet troops occupy the region above the
38th parallel.

American troops occupy the region below the
38th parallel.

Occupation was to last only until elections
could be held.
Division of Korea

Korean nationalists divided into two groups
–
–
Communists
Non-Communists

1945 the Soviet Union helps the communists
gain power in the north.

The United States helps the non-communists
in the south.
The Two Koreas

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea =
North Korea

Republic of Korea = South Korea
War in Korea

1950 – North Korea launches an all-out
invasion of South Korea.

South Korea is poorly equipped and
unprepared for this invasion.
Korean War

The United Nations sees this invasion as a
worldwide communist threat.

The United Nations decides to send troops to
South Korea.

15 nations send troops to South Korea, but
the majority of the troops were American and
South Korean.
Korean War

American’s land behind enemy lines and
push the North Koreans back.

The Chinese come to the aid of the North
Koreans and push the Americans and the
South Koreans back.
Armistice

1953 – The war ends in a stalemate.

The truce left Korea divided along the 38th
Parallel.
Results of the war

4 million people died

Many became refugees

Factories and farms are destroyed

Bombing from American planes left cities
destroyed.
Modern Day South Korea

In fear of another invasion they created a
large, well equipped army.

Syngman Rhee becomes the first president
and is very strict.
Modern Day South Korea

South Koreans begin to demand greater
freedom, but they are meet with strong
resistance from the government.

In the 60’s protests forced Rhee to resign.
Modern Day South Korea

South Korea had to rebuild their shattered
villages and cities.

Millions of refugees from North Korea fled to
South Korea.

South Korea is being helped by United
States aid.
Modern Day North Korea

Communist

No ties to the outside world
Kim Il Sung

Dictator from 1948 – 1994

Used propaganda to make the people loyal
to him.

Known as the “Great Leader”
Kim Il Sung

Outlawed all religions

Tried to replace Confucian values with
communist beliefs.
Juche

Means self-reliance

Avoided ties with other countries even communists

Built industry to supply the country’s own needs.

Make North Korea industrialized and more urban.

From 1995 on floods and other weather
related problems have brought famine and
death to North Korea.

About 10% of North Korea’s population has
died from this

South Korea has sent North Korea aid during
this hard period.
Uniting Korea

Korea would like to reunite. They are a
Homogeneous society.

They have signed non-aggressive pacts and are
working on peace treaties.

Each side is afraid that the other will try to overthrow
their system of government.

North Korea has tried to develop nuclear weapons
and is secretly still continuing to do so.