1. OBJECTIVES FOR KOREAN WAR READING 2011-12

2. Explain how Communists came to power in China and the United States reacted The Chinese Communist Party came to power in China in 1949 as a result of a lengthy civil war against the Nationalists. Their rise to power and popularity reflected their sacrifice and military commitment as they were responsible for the defeat of Japan in China during WWII. For the United States the ideal of a large powerful communist nation in Asia added to the fear that communism would engulf the world if not contained.The Chinese Communist Party came to power in China in 1949 as a result of a lengthy civil war against the Nationalists. Their rise to power and popularity reflected their sacrifice and military commitment as they were responsible for the defeat of Japan in China during WWII. For the United States the ideal of a large powerful communist nation in Asia added to the fear that communism would engulf the world if not contained.

3. Summarize the how the Korean War fit within the Cold War Coming soon after WWII the Korean War reflected the conflict between the Western powers and their goal of stopping the spread of communism and the growing influence of communist nations. As Korean was divided between the two sides (North and South) the peninsula reflected how the two camps used smaller developing nations as their battle ground for power and influence.Coming soon after WWII the Korean War reflected the conflict between the Western powers and their goal of stopping the spread of communism and the growing influence of communist nations. As Korean was divided between the two sides (North and South) the peninsula reflected how the two camps used smaller developing nations as their battle ground for power and influence.

4. Summarize how the Korean War was a war of assaults and counterattacks that resulted in a stalemate The Korean War was a three-year struggle that went back-and-forth between the forces of the United Nations as led by the United States and the troops of North Korea and massive army of China. Due to extreme battle-field conditions and conflicting goals of the U.N. military leadership, neither side could gain a dominate position, with the result being a stalemate around the 38 th parallel.The Korean War was a three-year struggle that went back-and-forth between the forces of the United Nations as led by the United States and the troops of North Korea and massive army of China. Due to extreme battle-field conditions and conflicting goals of the U.N. military leadership, neither side could gain a dominate position, with the result being a stalemate around the 38 th parallel.

5. Explain the conflict between President Truman and General McArthur The constitutional crisis created by the conflict between the top commander of U.N. forces General Douglas McArthur and President Harry Truman was based on a different set of goals and principles. The President understood the need not to thrust the U.S. into a major conflict with China, which the U.S. population wouldn’t support or be in a position to fight. While the General McArthur who was more than confident saw an opportunity punish a rising communist threat. In the end the President had to fire the General in order to fulfill the principle that civilians control the military in the U.S.The constitutional crisis created by the conflict between the top commander of U.N. forces General Douglas McArthur and President Harry Truman was based on a different set of goals and principles. The President understood the need not to thrust the U.S. into a major conflict with China, which the U.S. population wouldn’t support or be in a position to fight. While the General McArthur who was more than confident saw an opportunity punish a rising communist threat. In the end the President had to fire the General in order to fulfill the principle that civilians control the military in the U.S.