1. Why did we fight in Korea?
Postwar America ( )
Lesson 2 The Korean War
Why did we fight in Korea?

2. Postwar America (1945-1960) Lesson 2 The Korean War
Learning Objectives
Explain how Mao Zedong and the communists gained power in China.
Describe the causes and the reasons for U.S. involvement in the Korean War.
Identify the long-term effects and outcomes of the Korean War.
Key Terms
Jiang Jieshi
Mao Zedong
38th parallel
Douglas MacArthur
limited war
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

3. Communism Spreads in Asia
China Turns Communist
Communism Spreads in Asia
Russian Revolution – 1917 helps spread communism
China’s Civil War
Jiang Jieshi (Nationalists) vs. Moa Zedong (Communists)
USA supported Nationalists – sent billions $
Jiang Regime – Corrupt officials pocketed US money
Soviets Support Moa/Communists
China Falls to Communism – 1948
Moa created the People’s Republic of China
It’s History: Korean War Video

4. Communists Revolution in China

5. Korea After World War II
Korean History
Japan controlled 1905
1945 Yalta Conference
Japan ordered to give up Korea
Allies divide Korea
North/South 38th parallel
North – Soviet Union
Kim IL Sung – Communism
South – America
Syngman Rae- Unite Korea
N. Korea Invades South Korea -1950
Soviets supplied N. Korean Troops

6. U.S. Involvement in Korea
Containment
Truman wants to prevent communism from spreading
Remembers failure of appeasement
Truman to help S. Korea – sent troops – never formally declared war
UN – Supports Truman – Votes to enter the fight against N. Korea
USSR did not vote – absent from the meeting.
US Attacks
Douglas McArthur – leader of the coalition forces against N. Korea
Launches a counter attack behind enemy lines
June 1950 – N. Invades S. Korea
Sept – McArthur attacks Inchon
Oct 1950 – N. Korea forces retreated
Nov – China helps N. Korea – allied forces retreated
China supported by USSR

8. Domino Theory

9. The United States Fights in Korea
MacArthur Recommends Attacking China
Should the U.S. use Nuclear Weapons?
Soviet Alliance
Truman – Limited War –
Fight to achieve specific goals
MacArthur Versus Truman
McArthur sends letter to House Leaders
Truman fires MacArthur
Settling for Stalemate – Re-establishing old boundaries.
38th Parallel

10. General MacArthur
MacArthur said that the UN faced a choice between defeat by the Chinese or a major war with them.
He wanted to expand the war by bombing the Chinese mainland, perhaps even with atomic weapons.

11. Outcomes of the Korean War
The Forgotten War
Spring 1951 – 1953 Stalemate at the 38th Parallel.
Short Term
Eisenhower Elected President – 1952
Promised to end the War
Threatened to use Atomic Weapons + Death of Joseph Stalin
Communists negotiate peace
Long Term
No clear Victory – 38th Parallel
N. Korea remained communists
S. Korea allied with USA
Increased Military Spending
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
Defensive alliance to prevent spread of communism
Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, France, Britain, USA

12. 4. Impact of the Korean War Impact of the Korean War a
4. Impact of the Korean War Impact of the Korean War a. Very little settled in Asia b. 1st time UN gets involved in a conflict c. Increase in US defense spending ($22 billion to $50) Military build up d. Increase stockpile of Nukes e. US sets a pattern for involvement in undeclared wars US defense spending ($22 billion to $50) Military build up

13. Outcomes of the Korean War
Analyze Data After the Korean War how much more did the U.S spend on defense than before the war?