The Korean War ( )

Korea

Controlled by Japan during WW II North occupied by USSR South occupied by USA Line drawn at 38 th Parallel –North communist –South not

The Korean War June of 1950 –Communist N. Korea invades the South –Recall NSC-68 US-led United Nations calls North Korea the aggressor –USSR had boycotted the meeting So, they didn’t veto American-led UN troops enter Korea –Goal is to push NK back to 38 th Parallel CONTAIN communism

Phases of the Korean War 1)North Korea pushes UN forces far south 2)UN forces regroup and push NK back to 38 th Parallel 3)Decision made to push NK farther North a)Note change from original plan 4)UN forces push NK to Yalu River (on the border of China)—Nov, )China (now communist) enters War (11/50) 6)UN forces pushed back to 38 th Parallel 7)Truce declared in July 1953 a)Korea still divided at 38 th Parallel

MacArthur vs. Truman

General Douglas MacArthur Already famous –Broke up Bonus Army in 1932 –“Returned” to Philippines in 1944 Wanted all out war against communism –Proposed nuclear weapons against China and North Korea

MacArthur vs. Truman MacArthur calls for using A-bombs on China and North Korea Truman says no MacArthur attacks Truman in press Truman fires MacArthur American public strongly supports MacArthur –World War III is avoided

Korean War Balance Sheet Never technically a “war” –Congress never declared war –A United Nations “Police Action” Lasted 3 years 50,000 American dead –2,000,000 Koreans South & North remain divided at 38 th Parallel