The Korean War-How did it start? Facts (Started on June 25, 1950) 75,000 soldiers from North Korean People’s Army came across the 38th parallel 2. Invaded the Western Korea Republic in the south 3. First military action of the Cold War

When Did America Become Involved? United States involvement began in July 1950 Fighting eventually stalled United States tried to reach an “armistice” with the North Koreans Casualties began to mount Armistice-An agreement in fighting brought about by an agreement between the two (2) sides.

The Two Koreas The Two Leaders Korea was once a unified country that had been a part of the Japanese Empire since the beginning of the 20th century The Americans and the Soviets had to decide the fate of Korea The Two Leaders Syngman Rhee (anti-Communist dictator) supported in the South by the Americans Communist dictator Kim II Sung got the support of the Soviets in the North

The Korean War and the Cold War Feared by the Americans as a Communist campaign to take over the world Started as a war to get the Communists out of South Korea North Korean Army-well trained, well equipped and well disciplined “If we let Korea down, the Soviets will keep right on going and swallow up one place after another” (President Harry Truman) Symbolized the global struggle between East and West Good vs. Evil

President Harry S. Truman The war had a new set of aims The goal of the war was to liberate the North from the Communists Truman thought that this war would lead to: Soviet aggression in Europe 2) Deployment of atomic weapons 3) Millions of senseless deaths

General Douglas MacArthur Facts about the General Agreed with President Truman that this was now an “offensive” war (Be the ones to strike first) MacArthur thought that anything shorter of a full scale war was “appeasement” Appeasement-To give in when it is wrong to do so MacArthur saw this as “an unacceptable knuckling under the Communists” Tried to provoke (start) a war with China “There is no substitute for victory” -General Douglas MacArthur April 11, 1951-President Truman fired MacArthur for insubordination

The Korean War-At A Stalemate Peace talks began in July 1951 at Panmunjom Neither side wanted a “ceasefire” that kept the 38th parallel as boundary and could not agree whether prisoners should be forcibly “repatriated” Repatriated-To return to the country of origin, allegiance or citizenship Ceasefire-A temporary stopping of warfare

The End of the Korean War??? Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953 Armistice agreement allowed for the following things: POW’s could stay where they liked New boundary line was drawn near the 38th parallel South Korea given an extra 1,500 square miles of territory 2-mile wide “Demilitarized Zone” created that still exists today

Casualties of the Korean War Deaths totaled over 5 million from all sides 2.5 million of these deaths were of Korean civilians More than 40,000 American deaths More than 100,000 Americans wounded