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The Korean War

The Korean War. Background. 1910 – 1945 Japanese colony Post WWII plans: Soviets occupy north of 38 th parallel United States occupy south of Free elections when Korean gvmt was ready COULD NOT AGREE on elections procedure. 1948 2 separate governments

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The Korean War

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  1. The Korean War

  2. Background • 1910 – 1945 Japanese colony • Post WWII plans: • Soviets occupy north of 38th parallel • United States occupy south of • Free elections when Korean gvmt was ready • COULD NOT AGREE on elections procedure

  3. 1948 2 separate governments • Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Pyongyang) – Soviet Union • Kim Il Sung • Republic of Korea (Seoul) - United States • Singmund Rhee • Soviets w/drew in late ‘48 • US w/drew mid ‘49

  4. War Begins • Early 1950 Sec. of St. Dean Acheson outlined a “defensive perimeter” – didn’t include S. Korea. • N Korea – US wouldn’t defend???

  5. Stages of the Korean War • June 25, 1950 N. Korea invaded S. Korea • UN Security Council called for immediate withdrawal; NK ignored • began organizing army to oppose • USSR COULD NOT veto (boycotted b/c of China) General Douglas MacArthur leads UN forces.

  6. UN Forces • 16 countries sent troops • 90% were US soldiers • Commander in Chief of the UN forces was Gen Douglas MacArthur • Field Commander = Lieutenant Gen. Walton H. Walker

  7. Stage 1: North Korean Domination • Lasted about 2 months • North • 135,000 troops • Can get IMMEDIATE help from China and Soviet Union • South • 95,000 Troops • UN/US support took awhile • Inexperienced, young • South loses Seoul - Rhee retreats to Pusan • South becomes pinned around Pusan

  8. Stage 2: South Korean &UN Fight Back • 3 months of intense fighting • ROK and UN Plan – Surprise attack Sept ‘50 • Land troops in Inchon • Cut off supplies • Trap retreating troops from Pusan • Huge success • Gave S. Korean/UN momentum • Put Rhee back in Seoul

  9. Stage 3: Chinese Intervention • Politicians wanted to unite Korea • Rhee pressures UN to unite Korea • Troops push North • China and Soviet Union may use troops • WW III ?

  10. Stage 3 Continued… • October 1950 • CH sends 300,000 troops across the Yalu River • S. Korea and UN troops are cut off; forced to retreat South of Seoul. • Stabilize and momentum is now even • General Walker killed in jeep accident; Ridgway • General MacArthur wants to invade China • Truman says no • Launches offensive to get the “boys home before Christmas.” • Fails

  11. Stage 4: Stalemate • April 11, 1951 MacArthur is fired • Challenged Truman • Fear he would invade China • June 1951 neither side can win • Continued for 2 years

  12. Armistice Talks • Long peace talks centered around • Regions of cease fire • POWs • Armistice signed July 27, 1953

  13. Results • Prisoners • tortured and starved? • 88,559 exchanged • Korea remained divided • Demilitarized zone (2 ½ mile zone) • Both sides agreed not to increase military strength

  14. Losses • Korea • Dead – over 4 million (civilians) • N = 520,000 • S = 1.3 million • industry destroyed, agriculture ruined, millions of refugees • America • Dead = Over 54,000 • Military spending increase drastically • United Nations • 17,000 UN forces dead • Seen as a puppet of the US

  15. North Korea • Collective farms • Developed heavy industry • Built up the military • 1994 Kim died • son Kim Jong Il took over • Nuclear weapons • Serious economic problems

  16. South Korea • Prospered b/c of aid from U.S. and others • Developed industry • Expanded foreign trade • Dictators until 1987 • Constitution and free elections • 1980s and 90s highest growth rates in world!

  17. YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajATPo-HUfY Pictures http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/recent_scenes_from_north_korea.html

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