1. The Korean War 1950-1953

2. Conflict in Korea Before WWII, the Korean peninsula had been conquered by Japan. Before WWII, the Korean peninsula had been conquered by Japan. When the Axis Powers lost in WWII, their territories were divided up among the winners of the war. When the Axis Powers lost in WWII, their territories were divided up among the winners of the war. In the case of Japan, its territories were divided between the Soviet Union and the United States, who had strong presences in the Pacific. In the case of Japan, its territories were divided between the Soviet Union and the United States, who had strong presences in the Pacific.

3. Conflict in Korea The country of Korea was split along the 38 th Parallel (38° N Latitude). The country of Korea was split along the 38 th Parallel (38° N Latitude). The USSR and US could not agree on a way to unify the country, so… The USSR and US could not agree on a way to unify the country, so… The Soviet Union installed a communist government in North Korea. The Soviet Union installed a communist government in North Korea. The United States installed a democratic government in South Korea. The United States installed a democratic government in South Korea.

4. The Invasion of South Korea In 1950, five years after taking possession of South Korea, the United States left, allowing it to become an independent country. In 1950, five years after taking possession of South Korea, the United States left, allowing it to become an independent country. Upon American troops leaving, North Korean troops crossed the 38 th Parallel and invaded South Korea to unify Korea under communism. Upon American troops leaving, North Korean troops crossed the 38 th Parallel and invaded South Korea to unify Korea under communism.

5. The Invasion of South Korea Invasion began in June, 1950. Invasion began in June, 1950. By the end of June, North Korean troops had captured the South Korean capital of Seoul. By the end of June, North Korean troops had captured the South Korean capital of Seoul. President Truman immediately sent troops. President Truman immediately sent troops. –He believed that North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union. –He had committed to the policy of containing communism with the Truman Doctrine.

6. The United Nations Responds While President Truman could not declare an official war, he ordered American naval and air forces to support South Korea in what he called a “police action” to keep the peace in Korea. While President Truman could not declare an official war, he ordered American naval and air forces to support South Korea in what he called a “police action” to keep the peace in Korea. Truman asks the United Nations to help defend South Korea against the attack from the north. Truman asks the United Nations to help defend South Korea against the attack from the north. –The U.N. member nations agree to send troops. –Gen. Douglas MacArthur is given command of all U.N. forces.

7. The United Nations Responds U.N. military objective: push the North Koreans back over the 38 th Parallel. U.N. military objective: push the North Koreans back over the 38 th Parallel. –June 30, 1950: MacArthur leads U.S. ground troops into South Korea. –By the end of 1950, several countries had contributed troops and supplies, but the effort continued to be American led.

8. Early Phases of the War By September 1950, North Korean forces had pushed all the way to the southern tip of Korea. By September 1950, North Korean forces had pushed all the way to the southern tip of Korea. Only the port city area of Pusan, South Korea remained in U.N./South Korean hands. Only the port city area of Pusan, South Korea remained in U.N./South Korean hands.

9. The Inchon Landing September 15, 1950 September 15, 1950 MacArthur plans an amphibious landing at the port of Inchon, just west of Seoul. MacArthur plans an amphibious landing at the port of Inchon, just west of Seoul. U.S. Marines take Inchon, and move toward Seoul. U.S. Marines take Inchon, and move toward Seoul. Meanwhile, 8 th Meanwhile, 8 th Army pushes out Army pushes out of Pusan Perimeter of Pusan Perimeter toward Seoul. toward Seoul. 8 th Army advance to Seoul

10. Taking the Offensive After U.N. forces retake Seoul and most of South Korea, they begin to push north beyond the 38 th Parallel to create a “unified, independent and democratic Korea.” After U.N. forces retake Seoul and most of South Korea, they begin to push north beyond the 38 th Parallel to create a “unified, independent and democratic Korea.” U.N. forces push to within 50 miles of the border between China and North Korea. U.N. forces push to within 50 miles of the border between China and North Korea. China joins the war on the side of the North. China joins the war on the side of the North.

11. Taking the Offensive October 19, 1950: U.N. forces capture North Korean capital of Pyongyang. October 19, 1950: U.N. forces capture North Korean capital of Pyongyang. MacArthur orders U.N. forces further north toward Yalu River. MacArthur orders U.N. forces further north toward Yalu River. As U.N. forces advance, China warns U.N. that China will fight back if threatened. As U.N. forces advance, China warns U.N. that China will fight back if threatened. Truman believes this threat is a bluff and allows MacArthur to continue moving forces north. Truman believes this threat is a bluff and allows MacArthur to continue moving forces north. November 16, 1950: Chinese military crosses Yalu River into North Korea and move South. November 16, 1950: Chinese military crosses Yalu River into North Korea and move South.

12. Taking the Offensive November 26, 1950: Chinese forces launch massive attacks on U.N. forces. November 26, 1950: Chinese forces launch massive attacks on U.N. forces. Outnumbered, U.N. troops retreat back over the 38 th Parallel. Outnumbered, U.N. troops retreat back over the 38 th Parallel. Within weeks, Chinese and North Korean troops recapture Seoul. Within weeks, Chinese and North Korean troops recapture Seoul.

13. Stalemate By January 1951, U.N. forces are able to stop their retreat. By January 1951, U.N. forces are able to stop their retreat. U.N. forces launch a counteroffensive and manage to retake Seoul, finally pushing communist forces back over the 38 th Parallel. U.N. forces launch a counteroffensive and manage to retake Seoul, finally pushing communist forces back over the 38 th Parallel. The war becomes a stalemate: a situation in which neither side is able to gain much ground or achieve a real victory. The war becomes a stalemate: a situation in which neither side is able to gain much ground or achieve a real victory. Stalemate lasted for 2 years, with bitter fighting continuing along the 38 th Parallel. Stalemate lasted for 2 years, with bitter fighting continuing along the 38 th Parallel.

14. American Leadership Divided As the stalemate continues, Truman wants to negotiate for peace. As the stalemate continues, Truman wants to negotiate for peace. General MacArthur wants to achieve total victory—retaking North Korea and possibly attacking China. General MacArthur wants to achieve total victory—retaking North Korea and possibly attacking China. Truman fears MacArthur’s plans could escalate the situation into another world war. Truman fears MacArthur’s plans could escalate the situation into another world war. MacArthur writes to congress that Truman is preventing him from doing his job, “There is no substitute for victory.” MacArthur writes to congress that Truman is preventing him from doing his job, “There is no substitute for victory.”

15. American Leadership Divided April 11, 1951: President Truman relieves General MacArthur of his command. April 11, 1951: President Truman relieves General MacArthur of his command. Many Americans opposed the firing of MacArthur—he was a hero of WWII and even more popular than the president. Many Americans opposed the firing of MacArthur—he was a hero of WWII and even more popular than the president. MacArthur received a hero’s welcome upon returning home and gave a farewell address before congress. MacArthur received a hero’s welcome upon returning home and gave a farewell address before congress.

16. Ending the Conflict The two sides began negotiations to end the fighting in July 1951. The two sides began negotiations to end the fighting in July 1951. Talks continued for two years. Talks continued for two years. Cease-fire agreement signed July 27, 1953. By that time, Dwight Eisenhower had become president. Cease-fire agreement signed July 27, 1953. By that time, Dwight Eisenhower had become president. Agreement created a demilitarized zone between North and South Korea along the 38 th Parallel. Agreement created a demilitarized zone between North and South Korea along the 38 th Parallel. Demilitarized zone: region where military forces cannot enter. Demilitarized zone: region where military forces cannot enter.

17. Ending the Conflict The Korean War ended with neither side achieving total victory and almost no change in territory. The Korean War ended with neither side achieving total victory and almost no change in territory. Over 54,000 American deaths. Over 54,000 American deaths. Over 103,000 American wounded. Over 103,000 American wounded. Nearly 2 million Korean and Chinese deaths. Nearly 2 million Korean and Chinese deaths. Large portions of North and South Korea destroyed in the fighting. Large portions of North and South Korea destroyed in the fighting.

18. Korea as a Battle of the Cold War The U.S. sent a message to the Soviet Union that it would follow through with containment promises. The U.S. sent a message to the Soviet Union that it would follow through with containment promises. The fact that the war ended with no clear victory made the U.S. look somewhat weaker to many countries of the world. The fact that the war ended with no clear victory made the U.S. look somewhat weaker to many countries of the world. U.S. government begins to consider the wisdom of containment and the Truman Doctrine. U.S. government begins to consider the wisdom of containment and the Truman Doctrine.