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The Korean War

The Korean War. Background. 1910- 1945- Japan ruled Korea Resistance movements included communists 1945- US & USSR agreed to divide at the 38 th parallel 1946- separate governments created; UN to supervise elections for re-unification 1948- Korea officially split South- Republic of Korea

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The Korean War

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  1. The Korean War

  2. Background • 1910- 1945- Japan ruled Korea • Resistance movements included communists • 1945- US & USSR agreed to divide at the 38th parallel • 1946- separate governments created; UN to supervise elections for re-unification • 1948- Korea officially split • South- Republic of Korea • Synghman Rhee • North- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea • Kim Il Sung

  3. Origins of the Conflict • Kim Il Sung and Synghman Rhee were both nationalists who wished to reunite Korea • By 1949- US & Soviet troops out of Korea • 1949- Mao led communist victory in China; US and UN recognized a separate government in Taiwan • USSR now had the A-bomb • N. Korea had a stronger military, supported by the Soviets

  4. Origins (cont.) • 1950- Acheson’s “Perimeter Speech” did not include Korea or Taiwan • Kim Il Sung got approval from Stalin for an invasion, but only if Mao agreed & no direct Soviet involvement • Mao sought to take Taiwan & needed Soviet support • US was creating sphere of influence in Japan; Soviets wanted to counter w/ Korea

  5. Start of the War • June 1950- N. Korea launched a surprise invasion across the 38th parallel • US convinced that Soviets were responsible • Truman warned of a “domino effect” • NSC 68 • McCarthyism • Midterm elections of 1950 • Opportunity to use the UN • UN Security Council resolution called for military action against N. Korea • Soviets were boycotting • US led a coalition of 16 countries; General MacArthur was appointed as commander

  6. The War • By Sept. 1950, North Korean troops had taken most of Korea • US sent a fleet to protect Taiwan • US led a counter attack at Inchan • N. Koreans pushed back across the 38th parallel • Oct. 1950- UN troops captured Pyongyang • By Nov. 1950, UN forces were nearing the Yalu River

  7. Chinese Intervention • Mao felt threatened by the presence of Western troops; wanted N. Korea as a buffer • 500,000 Chinese troops launched a surprise attack • By the end of 1950, UN troops were forced to retreat across the 38th parallel; communists recaptured Seoul

  8. Removal of MacArthur • MacArthur suggested bombing China; possibly w/ nukes • Truman feared expanding the conflict; favored a limited war • April 1951- MacArthur relieved of his command • By early 1952, UN had regained Seoul

  9. End of the War • Summer 1951- peace negotiations had begun • POWs were a main problem • “Stalemate” continued • Massive bombings of Korean cities; heavy casualties • New leaders in US & USSR • July 1953- Armistice • Korea remained split; DMZ created

  10. Results USA • Victory for containment • Committed to containment in Asia • US established bases in Japan • Increased defense of Taiwan • Created SEATO China • Respected as a major power • Less likely to get Taiwan • Remained isolated from the US and UN • Tension w/USSR due to their lack of support

  11. Results (cont.) Korea • 3 million killed; mostly civilian • Remains divided • US troops remain in S. Korea • S. Korea- capitalist success story • N. Korea- impoverished dictatorship Japan • Strong US presence • Economic boom USSR • Tensions w/ China • Pressured by increased US military spending

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