Containment in Action: The Korean War Mr. Chris Williams February 10 th, 2009

Why was the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union called the Cold War? What is containment? Why did the U.S. think this was necessary?

“I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting subjugation [forced control] by armed minorities or outside pressures…I believe that our help should be primarily though economic stability and orderly political processes.” –Truman Doctrine

Marshall Plan Purpose: A U.S. financial aid program to rebuild the economies of European countries in order to create stable conditions for democratic governments $13.4 billion in aid to 17 countries including G.B., France, Italy from 1948 to 1951

Blockade of Berlin June 1948, Soviets decided to block any road, railway, or river traffic to West Berlin Cut off food, coal, and other necessities G.B. and U.S. responded with the Berlin Airlift to get them supplies

NATO U.S., G.B., Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Canada, etc. An armed attack against one of the members was considered an attack against all RESIST COMMUNIST AGGRESSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Events Leading to Conflict Chinese civil war since 1927 Chang Kai-shek-Nationalists Mao Zedong-Communists 1949 Mao and the communists took control and renamed the country the People’s Republic of China

Kim Il Sung Syngman Rhee

Korea and the Start of the War After WWII Korea divided at 38 th parallel (North –Communist, South-Democ.) June 25, 1950 North Korean forces attacked across the 38 th parallel armed with Soviet tanks and weapons and within days overtook Seoul

UN Security Council unanimously voted to send troops to help the South under the leadership of the United States after President Truman U.S never declared war and the whole effort was referred to as a UN police action

How was Korean split after WWII? Who did we support? What was the cause of the Korean War? How was this a part of containment? What was the mandate (objective of the war) of the United Nations in Korea?

From Attack to Stalemate Under General Douglas MacArthur, UN forces launched a surprise attack in September 1950 on city of Inchon Pushed North Korean forces back towards the 38 th parallel and north of it despite China’s warnings to America not to advance towards its borders

In November Chinese soldiers attacked South Korean and U.S. positions as they reached the border of the Yalu River 260,000 Chinese volunteers poured across the River pushing UN troops back past 38 th parallel

President Truman decided not to use atomic warfare or a huge commitment of troops, instead he favored the policy of limited war MacArthur was openly critical of this strategy, favoring a complete victory, and was fired for insubordination by the President

Why engage in limited war? “We do not want to see the conflict in Korea extended. We are trying to prevent a world war-not to start one…Why can’t we take other steps to punish the aggressor? Why don’t we assist Chinese Nationalist troops to land on mainland China? If we were to do these things we would…become entangled in a vast conflict on the continent of Asia. …” -President Truman April 11, 1951

“In war, there is no substitute for victory. There are some who are varying reasons would appease Red China. They are blind to history’s clear lesson, for history teachers with unmistakable emphasis that appeasement but begets new and bloodier war.” -General Douglas MacArthur

Victory? On July 27, 1953 after Eisenhower’s threat of nuclear warfare and the death of Josef Stalin, the two sides agreed to a cease-fire Two halves of Korea are still divided to this day with North Korea being communists allies with China; and South Korea being our allies This stalemate was a key issue in the election of 1952, with no end in sight, Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower promising he would end the war

Immediate Effects 37,000 Americans killed, 103,000 Americans wounded, 60,000 UN troops from other countries killed 2,000,000 casualties for Communists along with as many as 3,000,000 civilians injured or killed Relations with China worsen, Armed forces racially integrated

Long-Term Effects Military spending increases, Military commitments increase worldwide, Relations with Japan improve, Future presidents send military into combat without Congressional approval Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) formed as a defensive alliance aimed at stopping the spread of communism. Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France, Britain and the United States were the member countries.

Evaluate the actions taken by the leaders of the U.S. Government and Army in the Korean War. Defend answers with short written explanation (2-3 Sentences). A: Action was needed to meet goals of U.S. policy B: Action was positive for U.S. in short term but not in long run C: Action did not meet U.S. goals but was necessary D: Action did not meet U.S. goals and was unnecessary F: What were they thinking? 1. President Truman sends troops to Korea in response to North invasion of South 2. General Douglas MacArthur attacks north of the 38 th parallel despite Chinese warnings 3. President Truman chooses policy of limited warfare 4. Agreement of cease-fire results in Korea staying divided north and south