The Korean war 1950-53

Korea Divided North, run by Soviets South, run by the U.S. Divided at the 38th parallel Were supposed to re-unite and hold elections but were declared two nations in 1948

WAR BREAKS OUT June 1950 North Korea launches a surprise invasion of the South South Korean forces are pushed back to the port of Pusan in United Nations authorizes the use of force to stop the invasion (led by US but officially a UN police action, not war)

Battle of Inchon (September 1950) Difficult site for an invasion Quickly broke through North Korean lines Recaptured capital of Seoul and began to push North Korean back from Pusan

Seoul Recaptured Capitol of South Korea September 25, 1950

UN Forces Led by U.S. General MacArthur MacArthur pushed into North Korea, conquering most of the country very quickly President Truman initially supported these aggressive actions but was afraid of inciting WWIII with China and the Soviets

Chinese Get Involved The UN troops reach the Chinese border 260,000 Chinese troops enter the war and push the UN forces back to the 38th Parallel

YOU’RE FIRED!!! MacArthur publicly advocated an invasion of China and even the use of the Atomic bomb in order to win the war in Korea Small victories were achieved without these actions, and Truman did not appreciate MacArthur’s public comments

Stalemate 1951-1953 Two years of fighting over very small areas of land near the 38th parallel High casualties but kept fighting to have more land when peace treaty was negotiated

Impact of the War After Eisenhower was elected an armistice was signed, but a treaty was not signed so technically the war is not over Korea is still divided today (DMZ is most heavily guarded border in the world) North Korea often acts violently towards South Korea and has nuclear weapons South Korea is a successful democracy with a thriving economy