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The Korean War 1950-1953

The Korean War 1950-1953. The Cold War: Development & Impact Globally. The war was caused by external issues. Korea had been under Japanese occupation during WWII – after Japan had lost, the Allied forces and the Soviets agreed to divide Korea along the 38 th parallel

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The Korean War 1950-1953

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  1. The Korean War 1950-1953 The Cold War: Development & Impact Globally

  2. The war was caused by external issues • Korea had been under Japanese occupation during WWII – after Japan had lost, the Allied forces and the Soviets agreed to divide Korea along the 38th parallel • Most Koreans wanted unification • The Soviets occupied the North, and the US occupied the South • The US created the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South under Syngman Rhee • In response the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was founded in the North under Communist leader Kim Il-Sung • North Korea wanted to expand its borders and communism into the south • North Korea with support from the USSR and People’s Republic of China invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950

  3. -Korean War was the result of both defensive and offensive reasons: • -South Korea was defending itself against a North Korean attack • -North Korea provoked the war by crossing the border • -Was the result of political causes: • -The US wanted to contain communism; the Domino Theory –if one country in a region became communist, others would quickly follow; USSR and China wanted communism to expand • -The 38th parallel acted as a political border

  4. Role played by outside forces • Soldiers from 16 nations (collectively under the United Nations but most from U.S.A.) were led by General Douglas MacArthur (hero from WWII). • North Korean troops reach the southern tip of South Korea • MacArthur then lands troops just south of the 38th parallel • North Korean troops are forced to retreat back into North Korea • U.N. forces push North Korean troops northward near China • Communist leaders in China view the U.N. attack as a threat • China warns that they will enter the war if the U.N. troops push any further (the warning is ignored)

  5. Role played by outside forces • November 1950 Chinese soldiers enter North Korea • Fighting continues for a year, with no victory; stalemate /deadlock • MacArthur suggests a plan to blockade the Chinese coast and bomb China • Truman refuses; and MacArthur is extremely unhappy • Truman fires MacArthur • Truman begins truce talks in July 1951 which continued through 1952 • The war had become very unpopular (especially with American people) • As the Presidential election of 1952 draws near, the war is an important issue

  6. Role played by outside forces • Dwight D Eisenhower (Ike) runs for president • In his presidential campaign, Ike promises to end the war quickly • Ike wins the election and keeps his promise to bring an end to the war • A compromise with North Korea & China is made • Eisenhower warns that he was ready to use nuclear weapons. • North & South Korea remain two separate nations separated @ 38th Parallel • Americans are frustrated by the outcome of the war

  7. End of the Korean War • The war ended in a ceasefire; there was no victory • Ended on July 27th, 1953 with a truce; armistice signed • North Korea and South Korea remain divided • Tensions still exist today

  8. The Korean Armistice Agreement • Longest negotiated armistice in history (negotiated over 2 years and 17 days) • 18 official copies; tri-lingual • Went into effect at 10 pm on July 27th, 1953 • Signed by US Army Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, Jr., UN Command Delegate, North Korean Gen. Nam Il, and volunteers from the People’s Republic of China • Purely a military document (no nation is a signatory)

  9. The Korean Armistice Agreement: • Suspended open hostilities • Withdrew military forces and equipment from a 4000 meter wide zone (created a buffer between the two zones); this zone is called the DMZ (demilitarized zone – meaning no military allowed in this area) • Prevented both sides from entering the air, ground, or seas on opposing sides • Released POWs • Establishes the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) + other agencies – used to ensure that the truce terms were followed

  10. Cost of the War • For Korea • Cost in human lives & property was vast • $67 billion (1953 dollars); $535 billion (2008 dollars) • Much of North Korean land was severely damaged due aerial bombing • For the US • NSC-68’s recommendation to triple the defense budget was implemented • US defense spending increased dramatically turning at around 10% of American GNP in 1950 • Heavy American casualties and many were taken as POW’s

  11. Division between North Korea and South Korea.

  12. Ceasefire ≠ Peace • The Korean Armistice Agreement was NOT a peace treaty; North Korea and South Korea are still technically at war • Was intended as a temporary measure • General Nam Il (signatory on behalf of North Korea) said that it was a made to be a ceasefire “until a final peace settlement is achieved” • Peace settlement never came • Attempt to make peace settlements occurred in a conference in Geneva (1954); no agreements settled • Tensions between the two nations are still high • Border between North Korea and South Korea is the most heavily militarised border in the world

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