Aim: Trace the Course and Consequences of the Korean War

Setting the Stage When WWII Ended, Korean became a divided nation 1) Communist Industrial North 2) Non Communist Rural South 2

War in Korea Soviets supplied North Korea with tanks, airplanes, and money in attempt to take over peninsula June 25, 1950: North Korea swept across the 38th Parallel in a surprise attack on the south 38th Parallel: Line that crosses Korea at 38 Degrees North Latitude Truman’s policy of containment put to test UN plan to send an international force to Korea to stop invasion Under command of Gen MacArthur Sept 1950: North controlled nearly entire peninsula MacArthur launched surprise attack North surrendered & rest retreated 3

The Fighting Continues UN Troops pursued the retreating North across the 38th Parallel into N. Korea Oct. 1950: Chinese sent 300,000 troops into N. Korea Chinese greatly outnumbered the UN forces Jan. 1951, Chinese pushed UN and S. Korean troops out of N. Korea Chinese moved into S. Korea & captured city of Seoul MacArthur called for nuclear attack against China Truman viewed this as reckless & removed him 1952, UN troops regain control of S. Korea 1953, UN signed cease-fire agreement with North & border became 38th Parallel 4

Aftermath of the War After the war, Korea remained divided Demilitarized zone separates 2 countries N. Korea leader Kim II Sung established collective farms, developed heavy industry, & built up the military 1994, After Kim’s death, Kim Jong Il (Son) took power Under his rule, N. Korea developed nuclear weapons Had serious economic problems South Korea prospered thanks to massive aid from the US & other countries 1987, with adoption of democratic constitution, S. Korea established free elections 5