Chapter 25 Section 4 The Cold War Begins Riddlebarger The Korean War Chapter 25 Section 4 The Cold War Begins Riddlebarger “The Forgotten War”

Korea wikipedia

Korea Before the War 600 mile Korean peninsula lies between China and Japan Also close to Russia All 3 nations have long had influence over Korea. Japanese controlled after 1905 After Japanese defeat in World War II, Allies free Korea.

Post-WW2 Korea Allies decide to temporarily divide Korea along the 38th parallel. North- under Soviet control South- under U.S. control As in Germany, start of Cold War led to problems. Soviet establish Communist system in North. U.S. promotes democracy in South.

North Korean ambitions North Korea’s leader, Kim Il Sung, seeks to unite all Korea under Communist control South Korea’s dictator (though democratically elected) also seeks to re-unite the country Different views on unity lead to war.

Start of the Korean War In the early hours of June 25th, 1950, over 100,000 North Korean troops cross the 38th parallel and invade South Korea. They carried Soviet-made weapons and used Soviet-made tanks. The attack is a surprise to most U.S. leaders U.S. had just recently completed troop withdrawal from the country. China had just become Communist

South Korea

U.S. Response Pres. Truman feels the U.S. had to take a stand against Communism in S. Korea. Failure to do so might send a message that the U.S. would not defend their freedoms. This rationale is similar to what other American response to a Cold War crisis?

Early Action Within days of invasion, N. Korean forces push back S. Korean defenses and capture Southern capital of Seoul. Truman orders American naval & air forces to support S. Korean ground forces He then asks the United Nations to approve the use of force to stop the North Koreans.

The Role of the United Nations U.N. Security Council unanimously in favor of use of force. Soviets were absent that day Truman is reluctant to send in U.S. ground troops- fearful it will lead to another world war. Soon it will be clear that this is the only way to prevent N.Korean victory.

U.S. Troops hit the ground June 30th: Truman orders U.S. ground forces into action. Serving as part of a U.N. force Technically, the whole affair is a U.N. police action. Douglas MacArthur commands the force. 15 nations (40,000) join to support S. Korean military.

Key Battles N. Korean forces greatly outnumber and outgun S. Korean defenders Miserable fighting conditions Summer heat and heavy rains July brings discouraging news By end of month, U.N. forces are pushed to the tip of S. Korea. U.N. forces make a stand at Busan- hold at all costs.

Busan (Pusan) U.N. troops form 130 mile line around Busan.

Reinforcing Busan U.N. forces hold Busan and Communist offensive stalls by early September. Meanwhile, thousands of UN re-inforcements are landing daily at port of Busan. Now MacArthur wants to go on the offensive.

The Inchon Landing UN troops make an amphibious landing behind North Korean lines at Inchon. Within 24 hours, 70,000 troop force had secured a solid landing and regained some ground.

North Korea on the run Inchon landing helps UN forces recapture Seoul (S. Korea capital) After facing defeat in August, UN troops have recaptured all of South Korea by October. Question now is: Should they stop at the 38th parallel or follow into North Korea?

Decision on 38th parallel MacArthur favors crossing over. The concern is that may bring China or USSR into conflict. Truman supports going in Felt risk is worth taking Eliminate communism in Korea.

Chinese Intervention Seems like a good decision at first Little Chinese activity Late November, MacArthur planning final push which he says will end war. Then, 260,000 Chinese troops pour into North Korea.

UN forces retreat Chinese attack ends MacArthur hope of quick victory UN forces now in full retreat & face defeat. MacArthur says Chinese force is too large. 8th U.S. Army falls back south of Seoul Longest fallback in U.S. military history. Winter sets in-very cold

Early 1951 Early 1951: situation looking bad for U.S. and U.N. forces MacArthur wants to expand war and bomb China (even using atomic weapons.) Truman believes peace is possible without expanding war

MacArthur Fired April 1951, Lt. Gen. Matthew Ridgway begins to push Chinese back across 38th parallel. Ridgway’s success calls MacArthur’s warnings into question. MacArthur is appalled by Truman- questions President publicly. MacArthur is publicly popular and WW2 hero Truman fires MacArthur-feels he can’t have general publicly disobeying him. Decision outrages many Americans.

Unsuccessful Negotiations July 1951: U.S. enters into peace negotiations So far, 80,000 Americans wounded; 14,000 dead. Major dispute is over location of boundary between nations Causes negotiations to end in summer.

Battle wages on Meanwhile, the 2 militaries strengthen their position. Battles of Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge yield few gains but heavy losses of men. UN forces lose 40,000 more during this period. This is Bloody Ridge, occupied by survivors of the 9th Infantry Regiment, after it was captured on September 5, 1951. It cost 2,700 American and South Korean casualties and an estimated 15,000 North Korean casualties. The battle of Heartbreak Ridge, which followed Bloody Ridge, claimed 3,700 American and French casualties and an estimated 25,000 North Koreans and Chinese.

Negotiations Continue Negotiations resume in November 1951 but his snags over issues of POW’s Few major battles now but some casualties 1952 goes on the same while details of negotiations are argued over. Panmunjom

Events of 1953 1952: Elections year in US- Eisenhower is elected Had promised to end war. Fighting increases in last months as UN loses 57,000 and Communists 100,000. Armistice reached on July 27th

Korea ends up looking much the same as it did before the war War Casualties: Communists: 2 million dead U.S.: 27,000 dead U.N.: 60,000 dead 3 million Korean civilians dead or wounded

DMZ

“The Forgotten War” Explain