1. The Korean War

2. I. Why Korea? Korea known as - Land of the Morning Calm
was invaded, annexed, colonized and occupied by Japan in 1910
Japan surrendered to the Soviets in the North and the U.S. in the South. Divided at 38th parallel.
In June 1950 North invades South

3. II. Who fought? U.N. (16 countries) vs. North Korean: Chinese forces.
Under the command of General MacArthur
First test of the newly created United Nations

4. III. Strategic Significance
first of many clashes between communist and democratic governments.
U.S. and the other U.N. countries saw N. Korean aggression as a means to spread communism and test of the Truman Doctrine.

5. The War in Korea
June 1950 N. Koreans capture the S. Korea capital Seoul, push on to Pusan
September to October UN counter offensive pushes N. Koreans to Chinese border
Nov 1950 China joins N Koreans push back to 38th parallel
Fighting continues for next 2 years

6. IV. Military Technology
A. Many firsts.
1. air-to-air jet combat
2. helicopters used to evacuate wounded & transport troops to the frontlines
3. Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH)
4. integrated military units faced combat.

7. V. Casualties American – 57,000 (mainly Army)
enemy casualties, exceeded 1,500,000 of whom 900,000 were Chinese.
MacArthur called for the use of nuclear weapons against China
Truman refuses- why?

8. VI. How did it end? A. Soldiers returned home without a victory
“the forgotten war”
A stalemate, nothing is achieved
B. Korea was split into North and South Korea
1. North is communist to this day
2. South is capitalist to this day
3. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the 38th parallel is one of the most tense areas in the modern world
4. North Korea threatens nuclear action to its capitalist neighbors