The Korean War 7 th grade Social Studies

Bell Work: Monday April 13, 2015 Topic: A hot war -We’ve learned about what the Cold War was. Take a guess and write what you think a “Hot War” might be.

Where is Korea?

Background on Korea During the Age of Imperialism Japan had invaded and taken over the entirety of Korea During the Age of Imperialism Japan had invaded and taken over the entirety of Korea During World War II it was a strategic base for Japan in the Pacific Region. During World War II it was a strategic base for Japan in the Pacific Region.

The End of WW II Allied powers divide Korea is divided at the 38th parallel. Allied powers divide Korea is divided at the 38th parallel. 38 th parallel-The geographic divide of North and South Korea 38 th parallel-The geographic divide of North and South Korea North Korea- occupied by the Soviet Union North Korea- occupied by the Soviet Union South Korea- occupied by the US South Korea- occupied by the US The United Nations The United Nations Committee formed by world leaders to prevent another world war Committee formed by world leaders to prevent another world war 5 Biggest Members: US, Russia, France, United Kingdom, China 5 Biggest Members: US, Russia, France, United Kingdom, China

Korean War ( ): Post WWII North Korea (Communism) VS. South Korea (Democracy) North Korea (Communism) VS. South Korea (Democracy) North Korea invades South Korea North Korea invades South Korea Korea becomes known as the “The Forgotten War” Korea becomes known as the “The Forgotten War” Much less attention than WW II or the Vietnam War Much less attention than WW II or the Vietnam War

US Steps In According to United Nations treaty signed after WWII According to United Nations treaty signed after WWII All countries in alliance must step in to help one another All countries in alliance must step in to help one another Fear of another “Hitler” taking control- must act now Fear of another “Hitler” taking control- must act now COLD WAR COLD WAR US- supports democracy US- supports democracy Fear of communism being spread to democratic nation Fear of communism being spread to democratic nation

Domino Theory The domino theory was a popular theory from the 1950s to the 1980s, that guessed that if one state in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect.

Quote from President Truman “Communism was acting in Korea, just as Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese had ten, fifteen, and twenty years earlier. I felt certain that if South Korea was allowed to fall communist leaders would be emboldened to override nations closer to our own shores. If the Communists were permitted to force their way into the Republic of Korea without opposition from the free world, no small nation would have the courage to resist threat and aggression by stronger communist neighbors.” “Communism was acting in Korea, just as Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese had ten, fifteen, and twenty years earlier. I felt certain that if South Korea was allowed to fall communist leaders would be emboldened to override nations closer to our own shores. If the Communists were permitted to force their way into the Republic of Korea without opposition from the free world, no small nation would have the courage to resist threat and aggression by stronger communist neighbors.”

US Attack and Major Events Led by General MacArthur Led by General MacArthur US bomb bases and attempt to cut off trade lines US bomb bases and attempt to cut off trade lines Chinese enter war on side of North Korea (1950) Chinese enter war on side of North Korea (1950) “Stalemate” Occurs ( ) “Stalemate” Occurs ( ) Neither side is gaining any territory Neither side is gaining any territory Massive amounts of civilians dying Massive amounts of civilians dying

The End of the War Problem: Problem: The land was too forested (Could not see enemies) The land was too forested (Could not see enemies) Tanks and other military artillery would not work Tanks and other military artillery would not work Could not tell who was North Korea and who was South. Could not tell who was North Korea and who was South. 50% of North Korea’s cities were destroyed by bombing 50% of North Korea’s cities were destroyed by bombing US Deaths- 54, 000 US Deaths- 54, 000 Chinese and Korean Deaths- over 540, 000 Chinese and Korean Deaths- over 540, 000

The Peace Treaty US President Eisenhower forces North Korea to sign treaty US President Eisenhower forces North Korea to sign treaty Eisenhower threatens to use nuclear weapons Eisenhower threatens to use nuclear weapons July 27, 1953 July 27, 1953 Cease fire occurs (No more combat) Cease fire occurs (No more combat) Never an “official” treaty that ends the war, just an agreement between countries to stop fighting Never an “official” treaty that ends the war, just an agreement between countries to stop fighting North Korea remains Communist North Korea remains Communist South Korea remains a Democracy South Korea remains a Democracy

Korea Today North Korea South Korea What does this tell you about how North Korea is today?