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II. Korean War 1950-1953. A. Background. When WWII ends, Korea is DIVIDED along 38 th parallel. Both Korea’s want RE- UNIFICATION. Korea Divided -- 1945 North – Kim Il Sung vs. South – Sigmund Rhee Communist – supported by Stalin Dictator --- supported by USA.
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A. Background When WWII ends, Korea is DIVIDED along 38th parallel. Both Korea’s want RE-UNIFICATION
Korea Divided -- 1945North – Kim Il Sung vs. South – Sigmund RheeCommunist – supported by Stalin Dictator --- supported by USA
Goal for Both Korean LeadersRe-unite Korea Stalin agrees to request by Kim Il Sung To Attack South Korea – massive Soviet militaryaidprovided
Phase One Invasion across 38th Parallel NK Communists Push S.Korean Army & US forces back US and South Korean forces are ill-equipped, unprepared – they RUN ! June 1950Invasion !
Goals Soviet Goal: 1. Spread COMMUNISM in Asia -- assist other communist nations U.S. Goals: 1. Stop communism – SHOW Soviets that US will fight 2. Keep this war LIMITED = this is the 1st “limited war” of the Cold War
Pusan Perimeter“The Last Stand” Phase Two • Pusan perimeter – last hold-out for US forces • United Nations condemns North Korean attack– UN sends forces from 16 countries, to help US
UN/US Counter-Attack • Phase Three General Douglas MacArthur commands: “Give me 1st Marine Division to do what they do best” Amphibious landing at Inchon
US/UN Pursuit • Phase Four • Now it is the turn for North Koreans to run – back to the north • US/UN forces pursue MacArthur wants to eliminate communist North Korea -- “Win the war” • RISKY !
China is CommunistCorrupt “Nationalist” Chiang Kai Shek was defeated in 1949China led by Mao Zedong
Chinese have million-man army poised just miles away from unaware American G.I.’s It’s November 1950 --- G.I.’s are talking about “being home for Christmas” as they eat hot turkey dinners in North Korea MacArthur: “No Mr. President – don’t worry about the Chinese” Truman meets with MacArthurTruman: “Willthe Chinese intervene to help North Koreans ?”
Surprise ! • Phase Five • 600,000 Chinese Communisttroops launch massive ambush – for second time, Americans run in Korea ! • Embarrassed MacArthur calls for using nuclear weapons – • “Let’s eliminate the Red Menace in China, while we’re at it !” says MacArthur
Who’s in charge here ? • President Truman: “No General – this war stays limited – just hold South Korea” • Gen. MacArthur – complains to the media: “This is no way to win a war !” • President Truman: “Follow your orders General and keep your opinion to yourself !” • MacArthur repeats call to use Nuc’s on China, in the media
Stalemate in Korea ! • Phase Six • New US Commander stabilizes the front line • Korea turns into “trench warfare” stalemate – this suits Stalin to see Americans bogged down in costly war • Fighting drags on – 2 years !
B. Outcome The war ends in a TRUCE at the ORIGINAL border Korea remains divided TODAY
C. American Controversy Over “LIMITED WARS” Korea was the first limited war DEFINITION: 1. RESTRICTED to smaller region; avoid expanding the SIZE 2. No NUCLEAR weapons used 3. No DECLARATION of war & no peace TREATY 4. US will support oppressive DICTATORS so long as they are anti-communist 5. Avoid direct US-Soviet COMBAT Nuclear war
General Douglas MacArthur He resists concept of “limited war” – he wants to invade CHINA Truman FIRES MacArthur as US/UN commander when be publicly challenged the President (Commander-in-Chief) = This challenges CIVILIAN (President) CONTROL of the US military
Stalin dies – 1953Truce Signed = “cease fire”but its no peace treaty
2010 -- Cold War continues in KoreaSo-called “Demilitarized Zone” (DMZ) is heavily armed, guardedUS troops are still in South Korea
Sometimes – North Korea sends little reminders:“Don’t forget about us, we’re still here !”
North Korea has its own way of preparing for another Invasion “Got a shovel ?”
And don’t forget: “Two if by Sea!”South Korean Navy intercepts communist infiltrators on subs
What’s Next ?North Korea is developing nuclear weaponsand Long-range missiles