1 / 17

The Cold War Begins

The Cold War Begins. 1951-53. Early 1951. January – April: U.S. 8 th Army pushes North Korean and Chinese forces back up the peninsula. April – May: Communist troops launch last big offensive, checked by UN forces. June: UN pushes back to 38 th parallel. Meanwhile, a flustered MacArthur.

daria
Download Presentation

The Cold War Begins

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Cold War Begins 1951-53

  2. Early 1951 • January – April: U.S. 8th Army pushes North Korean and Chinese forces back up the peninsula. • April – May: Communist troops launch last big offensive, checked by UN forces. • June: UN pushes back to 38th parallel.

  3. Meanwhile, a flustered MacArthur • After Chinese intervention in November 1950, he wanted more resources and greater latitude to prosecute the war, particularly: • air and naval forces against Communist China • Nationalist Chinese troops from Formosa • Army divisions in reserve in U.S.

  4. Then, a frustrated MacArthur • Depicted situation in dire terms (evacuation of “annihilation”). • Made numerous statements that undermined or attacked the Truman Administration’s policies. • MacArthur fired in April.

  5. Administration policies • Prosecute limited war in Korea. • Deter larger war with the Soviet Union • Build-up U.S. nuclear & conventional forces • Bolster alliances with allies.

  6. Money • Defense budgets at the end of the Truman Administration jump to $40-50 billion. • Two-thirds of federal budget. • Spending on the Korea conflict accounts for about 40% of defense spending.

  7. Manpower, 1950-53 • Over 1.7 million men drafted. • More than 800,000 reserves and National Guardsmen called for federal service. • By 1953, U.S. Army had 20 divisions • 6 in Germany

  8. Air Force beefed up • Strategic Air Command: number of personnel and aircraft doubled over two years. • Gets first all-jet bomber: B-47 • Number of bases (and targets) expanded.

  9. Number of tactical aircraft increased, primarily for defense of Europe • 1952: Air Defense Command created to develop integrated system to protect U.S. from enemy air attack • Air Force also ordered to build an early warning system

  10. NATO bolstered: 5 goals • U.S.-appointed supreme commander for NATO forces in Europe. • More U.S. forces for Europe. • More military aid for NATO countries. • Draw up plans to defend western Europe in Germany. • Create a West German army within NATO.

  11. Accomplishments by 1953 • NATO had 25 active divisions in Europe (without any German troops) • Over 5,000 aircraft at about 100 bases.

  12. Meanwhile, back in Korea… • Front lines stabilize after summer of 1951, become more static. • Fighting comes to result attritional warfare of WWI. • “Iron Triangle” key objective

  13. Far East Air Forces (FEAF) • Missions: • air superiority • close air support • interdiction

  14. Armistice talks • Drag on from November 1951 – July 1953. • Points of agreement: • demilitarized zone • no limits placed on forces on either side • Point of contention: • prisoners of war

  15. Late-war developments • Eisenhower elected President in November 1952. • Stalin dies, March 1953. • Communist insurgency in Indochina going well. • Rhee government (in ROK) convinced to accept an armistice.

  16. July 27, 1953 • Armistice signed (not a peace treaty). • Requires permanent U.S. commitment to South Korea: • Build-up of ROK forces • Stationing of U.S. troops to help guard DMZ

More Related