Objective: To examine the results of the Chinese civil war and the Korean War  

Growing Interest in China People’s Republic of China: In the 1940’s, China was embroiled in a civil war. Nationalists Led by Chiang Kai-shek Communists Led by Mao Zedong

The U.S. gave the Chiang Kai-shek millions of dollars, but the communists won the war.

Chinese poster saying: "Chairman Mao is the Red sun of our hearts

“Quotations From Chairman Mao” (frequently referred to as the “Little Red Book”).

Mao Zedong quotations: On Socialism “The socialist system will eventually replace the capitalist system; this is an objective law independent of man's will. However much the reactionaries try to hold back the wheel of history, eventually revolution will take place and will inevitably triumph.” On Class Struggle “Our stand is that of the proletariat and of the masses.” On Serving the People “Our duty is to hold ourselves responsible to the people. Every word, every act and every policy must conform to the people's interests, and if mistakes occur, they must be corrected - that is what being responsible to the people means.” Portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong, Tiananmen Square, Beijing

China became a communist country, and Chiang Kai-shek and his forces fled to Taiwan.

Taiwan students stage an anti-independence protest Taiwan students stage an anti-independence protest. Taipei, Taiwan, 2003

Fighting in Korea: Korea was divided at the 38th parallel of latitude. North Korea was communist and supported by the Soviets, and South Korea was democratic and supported by the U.S.

In June of 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea.

The U.N. sent an international force to Korea in order to push the North Koreans out of South Korea. United Nations forces fighting to recapture Seoul, South Korea, from communist invaders, September 1950.

United Nations Forces in Korea: (Nation – Number Killed in Action) Netherlands - 116 Australia - 339 New Zealand - 31 Belgium - 97 Norway (noncombat role) Canada - 516 South Africa - 20 Colombia - 146 Philippines - 92 Denmark (noncombat role) South Korea – 137,899 Ethiopia - 122 Sweden (noncombat role) France - 287 Thailand - 136 Greece - 194 Turkey - 721 India (noncombat role) United Kingdom – 1,078 Italy (noncombat role) United States – 33,741 Luxembourg - 7 United Nations - 932,964 troops served  

MacArthur at Inch'on landing U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led the U.N. force, approximately 80% of which were U.S. soldiers.

Americans pushed to the Pusan Perimeter …the North Koreans had pushed the U.N. forces to the southeast corner of the peninsula, where they dug in around the port of Pusan…a "grim-faced and business-like" MacArthur visited Eighth Army commander Walton Walker. A witness said that MacArthur told Walker, "There will be no Dunkirk in this command. To retire to Pusan will be unacceptable." Gen. Walker gave the "stand or die" order, and over the next six weeks a desperate, bloody struggle ensued as the North Koreans threw everything they had at American and ROK (South Korean) forces in an effort to gain complete control over Korea.

Inchon With what is widely considered the crowning example of his military genius, MacArthur completely changed the course of the war overnight by ordering -- over nearly unanimous objections -- an amphibious invasion at the port of Inchon, near Seoul…The Americans quickly gained control of Inchon, recaptured Seoul within days, and cut the North Korean supply lines. American and ROK forces broke out of the Pusan Perimeter and chased the retreating enemy north. On September 27, after Washington had consulted with its allies regarding war aims, MacArthur received permission to pursue the enemy into North Korea. ROK forces crossed the 38th parallel on October 1, opening a fateful new chapter in the conflict.

Approaching the Yalu The Chinese army, which had been massing north of the Yalu River after secretly slipping into North Korea, struck with considerable force. After suffering setbacks, the U.N. forces stabilized their lines by November 5, only to watch the Chinese withdraw northward as quickly as they had struck. MacArthur was now worried enough to press Washington for greater latitude in taking the fight into China. He nevertheless launched a great offensive toward the end of November, which he optimistically hoped would end the war in Korea and "get the boys home by Christmas." It proved a terrible miscalculation.

An Entirely New War MacArthur's "all-out offensive" to the Yalu had barely begun when the Chinese struck with awesome force on the night of November 25. Roughly 300,000 Chinese troops overwhelmed the U.N. forces. On November 28, a shaken MacArthur informed the Joint Chiefs, "We face an entirely new war." MacArthur's men fought courageously and skillfully just to avoid annihilation, as they were pushed back down the peninsula. Seoul changed hands yet again on January 5. But under the able and energetic of General Matthew Ridgway, the U.N. retreat ended about 70 miles below Seoul.

Stalemate Beginning January 15, 1952, Gen. Ridgway led the U.N. in a slow advance northward. Inflicting heavy casualties on the Chinese and North Koreans, the U.N. re-recaptured Seoul (the fourth and final time it changed hands!) on March 15, and had patrols crossing the 38th parallel on March 31. A stalemate ensued, which lasting for another two years. Not until nearly two million more had died did the Korean War end, when an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

Ending the War: U.N. troops regained South Korea by March of 1951. Gen. MacArthur wanted to attack China with support of Chinese nationalists. President Truman disagreed with MacArthur about attacking China.

Truman fired MacArthur for defying him by publicly taunting and threatening the Chinese.

In July of 1953, the Korean War ended, in which over 54,000 Americans died.

The Korean War: Concluding Video South Korean troops patrol along the DMZ.