The Korean War Years 1950-1953

Korean War Background The Berlin crisis was the beginning of the conflict. In 1950, US and other members of the UN entered a war to stop communist forces from taking control of Korea. War proved that the US still wanted to defend freedom.

The 1948 Election Harry Truman became President after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death Truman beat the odds in the 1948 election against Thomas E. Dewey He won the biggest surprise victories in US history of presidential elections He won by just over 2 million votes

The Fair Deal Extended many economic programs that the New Deal created. Minimum wage increased Social security payments continued Federal funds used to rebuild run- down areas

Civil Rights In 1948, Truman desegregated armed forces (African Americans were allowed into same units as white soldiers) Desegregate – To remove racial barriers.

Communism Truman did not trust Communism because he believed it was the opposite of democracy Truman Doctrine – the policy of stopping communism from spreading.

Causes of War To Stop the spread of Communism Soviet Union was against the UN Plans of a unified government for all of Korea. Smaller battles between the North and South led to a larger conflict

The War Begins On June 25 1950, soldiers crossed the thirty-eighth parallel border and invaded South Korea. The first time in history, the UN sent in troops to restore peace after a cease-fire was called.

General Douglas MacArthur Commanded troops in the Pacific during WWII Was named by the United Nations as commander of all UN forces in Korea

The War Continued Korea’s surprise attack pushed South Korean troops further South. South Koreans only held ownership of Pusan; however, the UN troops possessed the line around Pusan which was a turning point in the war.

General MacArthur wanted to cut off Northern Korean forces by attacking them at the line around Pusan. They surprise attacked Inchon early September 15 and the battle ended that day. UN soldiers had captured the city of Seoul again and pushed North Koreans back above the border.

US Involvement The United Nations used United States troops to help. Two United States Generals, General Douglas MacArthur and General Dwight D. Eisenhower were key individuals in advancing against Northern Korea. Dwight D. Eisenhower would be influential in ending the war.

Advance and Retreat UN troops kept moving northward pushing communist forces through. Contrary to popular belief, China’s government supported North Korea with their troops and equipment. The North Korean and Chinese troops attacked forcing UN troops to pull out and move southward

End of Korean War The front lines did not move very much as the UN troops battled the North Koreans and Chinese. Due to the harsh freezing cold winters, getting supplies to the troops became extremely difficult leaving the troops unprepared. The UN troops were making little progress fighting against the Northern Koreans and the Chinese troops.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower Eisenhower promised that he would work to end the war if he was elected. Soon after his election, he kept his promise. By 1953, the communist troops pushed back to North Korea, an armistice was signed, and the fighting ended.