After World War II, China became a communist nation and Korea was split into a communist north and democratic south. MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW Ongoing tensions with China and North Korea continue to involve the United States

TERMS & NAMES CHIANG KAI-SHEK: Ruled in southern and eastern China, Relied heavily on aid from the U.S, struggled with inflation and a failing economy, and suffered from weak leadership and poor moral. MAO ZEDONG: Ruled in northern China, relied heavily on financial aid from the Soviet Union, attracted peasants with promises of land reform, and benefited from experienced Gorilla Army and a highly motivated leadership. TAIWAN: An island of China, which westerners called Formosa. 38TH PARALLEL (38 DEGREES NORTH LATITUDE): Where Japanese Troops surrendered to the Soviets. KOREAN WAR: a conflict between North Korea and South Korea in which the United States along with other UN countries fought on the side of South Koreans and China fought on the side of North Koreans. =2&hl=en&q=+the+korean+war

COMMUNIST TAKEOVER IN CHINA The communist led by Mao Zedong gained strength throughout the country. Worked to win Peasant Support They encouraged peasants to learn to read, and they helped improve food production. More and more recruits flocked to the Communists’ Red Army and much of Northern China was under communist control. After World War II, The Civil War erupted among the Nationalist and the communists. United States supported nationalist but tried to maintain being the peacemaker, but failed.

The U.S. sent $2 billion worth of military supplies in place of having to fight. Abusive practices drove peasants to the communist side. In May 1949 Chiang and his nationalist government fled to Taiwan. After 20 years of struggle, the communist ruled all of China and established a new government, the Peoples Republic of China, in which the U.S did not except. COMMUNIST TAKEOVER IN CHINA -CONTINUED- he+korean+war

KOREA BECOMES A DIVIDED NATION AFTER WORLD WAR II Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and ruled it until In 1948 the republic of Korea, south Korea, was established in the zone that had been occupied by the US. Korea’s government headed by Syngman Rhee, was based in Seoul, Korea’s capital. North Korea led by Kim II Sung, was based in Pyongyang. The communists formed the Democratic Peoples of Republic. +the+korean+war

THE U.S. FIGHTS IN KOREA North Korea captures the Seoul. North Koreans forced UN and South Korea into a small defensive zone around Husan in the south eastern corner of the peninsula. United States General Macarthur launched a counter attack, a surprise amphibious landing behind enemy lines at Inchon. Other troops moved north to Pusan, trapping the two attacking forces. North Korean troops surrendered. +korean+war

THE CHINESE FIGHTS BACK Zhou En-Lai, China’s communist foreign minister would not stand by and let Americans come to the Yalu River. In 1950, 300,000 Chinese troops joined war on the side of North Korea. Chinese drove UN troops southward. By January 1951, all UN and South Korean troops had been pushed out of North Korea. Chinese advanced to the south capturing the South Korean Capital, Seoul. They fought for two years but neither side made advances. &q=+the+korean+war

MACARTHUR VS. TRUMAN General Douglas Macarthur and President Truman strongly disagreed about how best to proceed in the Korean War. Macarthur wanted extend the war into China. Truman rejected Macarthur's request because he thought it would start a World War III. Truman wanted to put together a settlement of the war and could no longer tolerate a military commander, Macarthur, who was trying to sabotage his policy. Therefore on April 11, 1951 Truman announced that he had fired Macarthur. korean+war

SETTLING FOR STALEMATE The soviet Union suggested a cease-fire on June 23, The opposing sides reached agreement on two points, location and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between opposing sides. June 1953, the two sides signed a armistice ending the war. The war had affected the lives of ordinary Americans in many ways. It cost 54,000 American lives and $67 billion in expenditures. The high cost led Americans to reject the democratic party in 1952 and to elect republican Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Korean increased fear of communist aggression and prompted a hunt for Americans who might be blamed for the communist gains. en&q=+the+korean+war