Korean War

How was Korea divided? 1910 Japan invades and annexes Korea Dec. 1, 1943 US, Great Britain, and China issue the Cairo Declaration which states Korea will be independent “in due time.” After WWII and Japan loses, Soviets and US agree to divide Korea along the 38 th parallel

The Two Leaders North Korean leader: Kim Il Sung Communist and Soviet backed South Korea: Syngman Rhee Authoritarian and US backed

How did the Korean War begin? Both sides wanted to unite Korea 1950 Kim Il Sung launches his “Heroic Struggle” to reunite Korea North attacked and invaded South America gets involved- Truman Doctrine Soviet Union gets involved

How did the Korean War end? June 27, 1950 President Harry S. Truman sends air and naval forces June 28, Seoul falls to the North and American troops are ordered in. US pushed the Koreas so far north almost into China This worried the Chinese

How did the Korean War end? Mao sends troops to help North Korea move South Ended in 1955 with a stalemate with no peace treaty signed Each side is still separated by the 38 th parallel with forces on each side along the DMZ (demilitarized zone)

What is the current state of South Korea? Originally exported textiles But now they are the largest exporter of cars and electronics Most wired nation in the world Ruled by dictators But in 1987 after student protests, elections were held Now democratic nation

What is the current state of North Korea? Kim Il Sung focused on self-reliance which kept North Korea isolated Used propaganda: Great Leader Dear Leader Kim Jong Il has to battle poor harvests and famine

What is the current state of North Korea? Had to accept aid from US and South Korea Started to develop nuclear power for weapons and electricity- stopped for oil but then continued

How did South Koreans come to America? After the war, only skilled Koreans such as nurses were allowed to enter War Brides Act of 1945 allowed Asian wives and children of US servicemen to enter as non-quota immigrants Some orphans were allowed to enter because their parents were killed in the war

How did South Koreans come to America? 1961 to 1979, Park Chung-hee’s military dictatorship was rapidly modernizing industry and relied on export- oriented economy. prices competitive because of low wage labor. Government prohibited strikes; surplus of workers. kept prices low rice farmers moved to cities population explosion from 25 million/1960 to 35 million/1975; cities didn’t have job opportunities so people left

How did South Koreans come to America? Many were medical professionals. As South Korea modernized, it expanded training facilities. 1966: 20 new nursing schools; 1977: 37 schools with 2,500 graduates a year Too many nurses not enough jobs Stuck in inner-city hospitals, shunned by whites. Could not afford to study (Visa Qualifying Exam, English language test, medical test in field of specialization) and work Ended up as nurses’ assistants and hospital orderlies.

How did South Koreans survive in America? Confucian ethic emphasized industry, self-regulation, and family ties Opened wig shops, restaurants, liquor stores, and green groceries 90% of Korean business owners worked harder and lived more frugally in the US than they had in Korea. Many sold everything to start their own enterprises. Left their kids with grandparents to start a new life and sent for them later. Parachute children. Self-employment was the only option because there were no job opportunities.

How did South Koreans survive in America? Korean wives worked with their husbands. Everyone in the family worked. Greengrocers wake up at 4AM to go to the markets to buy produce. Bring it back to trim and clean. Then work all day only making about $17,000 to $35,000 a year ( the average annual income for an entire family). They know they will get shot, robbed, or killed. Have to work in tough communities.