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The Forgotten War

The Forgotten War. Korean War. Dividing Korea. Japan controlled Korea prior to WWII During WWII Soviet and US troops fought and defeated the Japanese in Korea Soviet and US decided to split Korea at the 38 th parallel (38 º North) into two separate zones of occupation

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The Forgotten War

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  1. The Forgotten War Korean War

  2. Dividing Korea • Japan controlled Korea prior to WWII • During WWII • Soviet and US troops fought and defeated the Japanese in Korea • Soviet and US decided to split Korea at the 38th parallel (38º North) into two separate zones of occupation • Communists came to power in the North, and pro-Americans gained power in South • Soviets and Americans left by 1949

  3. Communists Take Over in China • Chinese government was headed by nationalist Chang Kai-Shek • Communist leader Mao Zedong led a civil war against the government • In 1949 the Communists took over • Nationalists were forced off the mainland to Tawain

  4. The War Begins • Both sides of the 38th parallel wanted a unified Korea • June 1950 North invaded the South to unite by force • Americans were concerned about the spread of communism • Truman uses containment and the Truman Doctrine to defend South Korea

  5. Waging the War • Truman chose WWII hero General Douglass MacArthur to lead the fight in Korea • South Korea was almost completely overrun except for the port city of Pusan • MacArthur concluded that the North’s rapid advance left their supply lines weak • MacArthur landed troops at both Inchon and Pusan • With US troops surrounding the North Korean troops at both the North and South, the North Korean army retreated

  6. Waging the War Continued • US troops began to pursue the North Koreans with the idea of uniting Korea under the South’s control • Chinese communists did not want a pro-US neighbor • Chinese warned the US not to advance any further north • MacArthur announces his “home by Christmas” offensive in November 1950 • Chinese sent troops

  7. Stalemate and End • Chinese aided the North to push the South (US) back to the 38th parallel • A stalemate at that line developed • MacArthur and Truman disagreed about a strategy • they argued, and Truman fired MacArthur • 1951-1953 deadly fighting occurred on the frontlines • When the war ended in 1953, the Korea was still divided at almost exactly the same spot it was before the war (38th parallel)

  8. Effects • 34,000 Americans dead – 103,000 wounded • Debate about whether this was a success or a failure • 1st war where integrated units fought together • Furthered aggravated relations with China that exist even today • Technically we are still at war, because no treaty was ever signed – ended with a cease-fire

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