The Korean War 1950-1953

I. Why Korea? Korea known as - Land of the Morning Calm was invaded, annexed, colonized and occupied by Japan in 1910 Japan surrendered to the Soviets in the North and the U.S. in the South. Divided at 38th parallel. In June 1950 North invades South

II. Who fought? U.N. (16 countries) vs. North Korean: Chinese forces. Under the command of General MacArthur First test of the newly created United Nations

III. Strategic Significance first of many clashes between communist and democratic governments. U.S. and the other U.N. countries saw N. Korean aggression as a means to spread communism and test of the Truman Doctrine.

The War in Korea June 1950 N. Koreans capture the S. Korea capital Seoul, push on to Pusan September to October UN counter offensive pushes N. Koreans to Chinese border Nov 1950 China joins N Koreans push back to 38th parallel Fighting continues for next 2 years

IV. Military Technology A. Many firsts. 1. air-to-air jet combat 2. helicopters used to evacuate wounded & transport troops to the frontlines 3. Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH) 4. integrated military units faced combat.

V. Casualties American – 57,000 (mainly Army) enemy casualties, exceeded 1,500,000 of whom 900,000 were Chinese. MacArthur called for the use of nuclear weapons against China Truman refuses- why?

VI. How did it end? A. Soldiers returned home without a victory “the forgotten war” A stalemate, nothing is achieved B. Korea was split into North and South Korea 1. North is communist to this day 2. South is capitalist to this day 3. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel is one of the most tense areas in the modern world 4. North Korea threatens nuclear action to its capitalist neighbors