1. Chapter 16 Section 2
The Korean War

2. Objectives Explain how Mao Zedong and the communists gained power in
China.
Describe the causes and progress
of the war in Korea.
Identify the long term effects of
the Korea War.

3. The Korean War Europe first focus of Cold War
Early 1950s US becomes involved in Korean War
East Asia made prime battleground in the long, hard, Cold War struggle.

4. Communists Gain Control of China
Since Russian Revolution in 1917:
Soviets hoped to spread communism to every corner of world.
Training foreigners in Marxist theory and evolutionary strategy
Communists confident communism would reach worldwide influence
Events in China in 1949 seemed to justify the confidence.

5. Civil War Divides China
Mao Zedong
Communist leader
Jiang Jieshi (Chaing Kai-shek)
Nationalist Leader in China
Fighting a civil war against communists
Temporarily joined forces in uneasy alliance to fight Japan
Resumed civil war with a vengeance after war ended

6. Civil War Divides China
Soviets supported Mao
US sent several billion in aid to Jiang
-American leaders feared Jiang’s defeat
would create a communist superpower
spanning most of Asia
Jiang’s regime proved unequal to the task
-Nationalist’s generals reluctant to fight
-while masses of Chinese faced starvation,
corrupt officials diverted US aid into their
own pockets
Mao won increasing support by promising to feed the people

7. Communists Win in China
1948, Mao’s forces dominate the war
Jiang appealed to US for military intervention
-US government would not sent troops
to support the corrupt Jiang
1949, Jiang fled to an off shore island of Taiwan
Mao takes control of world’s most populous country renaming it
“People’s Republic of China”

8. Communists Win in China
Mao’s victory immense shock to Americans
-communists were a sworn enemy
of US
-communists now controlled about
one fourth world’s landmass and
one third of world population
Americans asked “Who lost China?”
-many blamed Truman administration
-said failed to give enough support to
Jiang.

9. Communists Win in China
Secretary of State Dean Acheson argued:
“The unfortunate but inescapable fact is that the ominous result of the civil war in China was beyond the control of the government of the United States. Nothing that this country did or could have done within the reasonable limits of its capabilities could have changed the results”

10. Why were the communists able to win the Chinese Civil War?
Checkpoint Question
Why were the communists able to win the Chinese Civil War?

11. Americans Fight in Korea
Focus of attention turns toward Korea
separated from north-east China
by Yalu River
-once controlled by Japan
-divided into two independent
countries by US and Soviet Union
at end of WWII
-dividing line set at 38th parallel of
latitude
In North Korea, Soviets installed communist government and equipped its armed forces.
US provided smaller amts. Of aid to noncommunist South Korea

12. North Korea Invades South Korea
American occupation troops stay in South Korea until 1949
-departure coincided with communist
victory in China
Some after, North Korea begins major military buildup
-June 25, 1950, North Korean forces
attack across 38th parallel
-90,000 North Korean troops armed with
powerful tanks and other Soviet weapons
-within days northerners overtook South
Korea’s capital-Seoul
-then set out after South Korean army

13. US Forces Defend South Korea
Truman not willing to use a previous unsuccessful policy of appeasement, determined not to repeat history, announced US would aid South Korea
UN Security Council unanimously voted to follow US lead
-recommended “Members of UN
furnish such assistance to
Republic of Korea as may be
necessary to repel the armed attack
and to restore international peace
and security in the area”

14. US Forces Defend South Korea
Soviets would have used “veto” power to block resolution but boycotting Security Council sessions because UN had refused to seat Mao’s People’s Republic of China

15. US Forces Defend South Korea
Did not ask Congress for formal declaration of war
-required by the Constitution
Supported by UN resolution
-ordered American troops stationed
in Japan to move to South Korea
-soldiers mainly occupation troop
-not trained for forced marches in
monsoon rains or heavy combat in
rice paddies
-did not have military equipment
needed to stop an invasion

16. US Forces Defend South Korea
Short time later, US forces join South Korean allies retreating to southeast corner of peninsula near Pusan.
Allies hold fast
Fresh supplies and troops arrive from Japan
Soldiers from other UN countries join America and South Korean forces.

17. MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans
September 1950, UN forces ready to counterattack
General Douglas MacArthur, WWII hero, had bold plan to rid South Korea of invaders
Suspected rapid advance of North Koreans left them with limited supply line
Decided to strike at weakness, launching surprise attack on port city of Inchon (well behind enemy lines)

18. MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans
Inchon poor landing site (swift currents, treacherous tides); enemy would not expect attack there.

19. MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans
MacArthur’s gamble paid off
September 15, 1950, US Marines landed at Inchon
-launched attack into rear guard of
North Koreans
-Communist forces began fleeing for
North Korean border
By October, 1950 North Koreans driven north of 38th parallel

20. MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans
With North Korean retreat, US had to decide what to do next
Should UN mandate be declared accomplished and war ended?
Should forces be sent across 38th parallel to punish Communists for invasion?

21. MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans
Truman concerned about China’s reaction if US carried war into North Korea
Chinese leaders had publicly warned US not to advance near its borders
MacArthur assured Truman China would not intervene
-based on this advice, US push a
resolution through UN
-called for “unified, independent,
and democratic” Korea

22. China Forces Stalemate
Confident MacArthur attacked north of 38th parallel
-mountainous terrain and
freezing temps
-by Thanksgiving reach Chinese
border at Yalu River
On November 25, 1950, 300,000+ Chinese soldiers attack South Korean and US positions
Badly outnumbered, UN troops retreat

23. China Forces Stalemate
US confronted with major land war in Asia
to win must commit number of
troops and even atomic weapons
-Truman ruled both out
-MacArthur enraged”; distrusted
Truman’s “limited war” with
specific goals;
favored total victory
-MacArthur bypasses Truman;
sends letter to House of
Representatives attacking
Truman’s policies

24. China Forces Stalemate
Letter becomes public, Truman fires MacArthur for insubordination
Huge outcry in US, MacArthur returns home a national hero

25. Checkpoint Question
How did President Truman react to the North Korean invasion of South Korea?

26. The Korean War Has Lasting Effects
By spring 1951, Allied forces regrouped and stabilized position near 38th parallel
Stalemate lasted until 1953
-fought small, bloody battles with limited results
-diplomates tried to devise an acceptable peace agreement

27. The War Becomes a Political Issue
Stalemate key issue in 1952 election
Ike promised if elected would end war
After election, visited Korea
Spoke to troops
Studied enemy fortifications
Convinced only strong action would break stalemate
When peace talks failed; hinted might intro nuclear
weapons
The warning, plus death of Stalin, convinced communists to settle conflict.
July 27, 1953, two sides sign cease-fire
Still in effect today!

28. Examining the Lessons of the Korean War
There was no victory.
Long-term Results:
Truman committed US troops without congressional declaration of war
-sets a precedent that future presidents would follow
Korean War led to increased military spending
-by 1960, military spending accounted for nearly half of federal budget
-more than a million US soldiers were stationed around the world
3. A new alliance underscored US interest in Asia
-like NATO, the SOUTHEAST ASIA TREATY ORGANIZATION (SEATO) became a defensive alliance to prevent spread of communism
-members Pakistan, Thailand, Phillippines, Australia, New Zealand, France.
Britain, and the US

29. Checkpoint Question
What were the important results of US participation in the Korea War?