The Korean War: The Forgotten War

Civil War in China Mao Zedong – Chairman of the Communist Party Won the support of peasants by giving them reduced rent on occupied lands

Civil War in China Chaing Kai-Shek = head of the Nationalist Party Supported by the U.S. Loss of support by peasants

Koreans Go to War 38 th Parallel was the artificial boundary –Soviet Korea in the North –U.S.(NATO) Korea in the South June 25, 1950 – North invades the South

38 th Parallel

U.S. Fights in Korea N. Korea pushed S. Korea south as far as Pusan MacArthur’s miracle Counterattack –Landing at Inchon –Up through Pusan

Big Question Should MacArthur cross the 38 th parallel? October 7, U.N. recommends that Mac. cross the 38 th. Warning by China –China would not let U.S. come close to the Yalu River

Chinese Fight Back Mac pushed all the way to the Yalu River 300,000 Chinese cross the river –U.S. outnumbered 10 to 1 Mac pushed 100 miles south of the 38 th

Mac Recommends Attacking China Blockade the Chinese coast and use A-Bombs Met w/Truman for the first time at Wake Island. –Rejected by Truman –Soviet Union / China = Mutual Assistance Pact

Mac v. Truman Mac went over Truman’s head Wrote letters to magazines, newspapers, Reb. Leaders Dismissed on April 11, 1951

Stalemate 38 th parallel was the border between North and South Korea –Communist north / dem. south. Positive: Communism contained in the north Negative: Korea still two countries.