2-4 Notes 2: The Korean War Modern US History Unit 2-4: The Cold War May 17, 2010

Background Info on China During WWII, China had been invaded by Japan. At the same time, China was having a Civil War of its own. Communist forces led by Mao Zedong were fighting Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek. The U.S. supported Chiang to prevent the spread of Communism. As soon as the Japanese left China after WWII, the Civil War began again.

Background Info on China Between 1945 and 1949, the U.S. sent $3 billion in aid to the Nationalists including $2 billion worth of military equipment and supplies. While funding the Nationalists in their fight against the Communists maintained the spending policy of the Marshall Plan, this time it did not work. In May 1949, the Communists took over China and the Nationalists fled to Taiwan. America was stunned that such a large country that we were funding could fall to Communism.

Conflict in Korea Japan controlled Korea from 1910 until the end of WWII. In 1945, when the war ended, Korea was divided between America and the USSR. The USSR would support the northern half of the country – above the 38th parallel. The USA got the region south of 38º.

Conflict in Korea As in Germany, two nations developed – one communist, one democratic. The USSR supported the North Korean communist government and militarized North Korea. South Korea was led by Syngman Rhee. Because Rhee’s goal was to force both Koreas to unite by force, the U.S. did not heavily arm the South Korean army. Syngman Rhee taking Oath of Office July 24, 1948

Conflict in Korea After WWII, America began to reduce its forces in South Korea, but then North Korea’s army invaded South Korea on June 25, With the invasion, the USA turned around to help South Korea. To gain support in its aid to Korea, the USA went to the United Nations and asked for assistance to defend South Korea. The Soviet Union was protesting the UN meeting and since they could not veto the vote, the UN decided to help South Korea.

Conflict in Korea Even though 16 nations sent 520,000 troops to aid South Korea, war was not declared by the U.S. against North Korea. 90% of the U.N. troops were American and the South Korean Army gave another 590,000 troops. United Nations: South Korea, Australia, Belgium South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, France

Fighting in Korea At the beginning of the war, the North Korean troops overwhelmed the U.N. troops and forced them into a small defensive zone around Pusan in the SE corner of the Korean Peninsula. MacArthur, who was once again in charge of the U.S. and U.N. troops, launched a surprise attack from Inchon on the west coast and Pusan. The Allied troops were able to push their way almost to the Chinese-Korean border.

Fighting in Korea After this happened, the Chinese entered the war on the side of North Korea to defend their communist neighbors and to prevent America from entering China. The sheer number of Chinese forces overwhelmed the Allies and caused a retreat to the south. After this back and forth motion, both sides were once again stationed in the vicinity of the 38th parallel.

Fighting in Korea Both sides tried to come to a truce in 1951, but deliberations dragged on for two years while thousands were killed in battle. The problem was that the communist forces wanted all prisoners of war returned alive, but some of the prisoners wanted to leave communism and didn’t want to return.

The Shifting Map of Korea [ ]

Pictures of the Korean War

Fighting in Korea July 1953 finally saw a peace and an exchange of prisoners that wanted to go back to their countries. The cease fire line was also stationed at the existing battle line of the 38th parallel, plus a demilitarized zone was established between the two countries. Guards along the DMZ

Fighting in Korea There were approximately 54,000 American casualties with the Chinese losing over 400,000. The U.S. had spent $67 billion on what turned out to be a fight to maintain the status quo. While communism didn’t spread, South Korea and democracy did not make any gains either. The Korean War also led to increased fears of Communist aggression at home in America.