“The Forgotten War” The Korean War

President Truman "In my generation, this was not the first occasion when the strong had attacked the weak….Communism was acting in Korea just as Hitler, Mussolini, and the Japanese had acted 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."

Three Step Guide On How to Stop Communism 1. Containment Stop the spread of communism no matter what. 2. Truman Doctrine Support free nations that were resisting armed minorities or outside pressure 3. Marshall Plan Aid any European nation that would need help as long as the nation cooperated with other European nations economically.

The China Problem

The Background to Korea Revolution in China Chiang Kai-shekMao Zedong Backed by Western PowersBacked by the Soviet Union

Stage One June 25 th, 1950 Phase ends August 1 st, 1950 North Korean forces invade at 4:00am. Push back UN/SK troops to the port city of Pusan. Defeat almost certain.

Stage Two August 1, 1950 Phase ends November of 1950 General MacArthur leads a daring counterattack and takes the port city of Inchon and Seoul. Gets green light to push forward over the 38 th Parallel. No longer a “police action”, takes Pyongyang.

Stage Three November 25 th, 1950 Phase ends April 22 nd, 1951 Over half a million Chinese troops cross the Yalu River. Harsh fighting/tactics of Chinese push UN/SK forces back and lose Seoul for the second time.

President Truman Dismisses Gen. MacArthur MacArthur desired a direct attack on China. Truman disagreed, limited supplies to MacArthur. Stage three loses were blamed on Truman. Attempted to gain public support for invasion by going over President Truman’s head. President Truman dismisses MacArthur as a result.

A History of the American People by Paul Johnson “The truth is, Truman kept in mind, which MacArthur did not, that the object of US intervention in Korea was not to start a third world war, but to prevent one.

Stage Four April 22 nd, 1951 Phase ends July 27 th, 1953 Stubborn fighting on both sides sees a stalemate develop as UN/SK forces push back and retake Seoul/38 th Parallel, again. USSR suggests cease fire. Armistice signed.

Korea Today

Impact of the Korean War United States Casualties 33,629 battle deaths 20,617 non-hostile deaths 103,284 wounded 8,177 missing 7,140 POWs Cost? $54 billion

Impact of the Korean War Other Casualties 415,000 South Korean deaths 520,000 North Korean deaths Unknown Chinese deaths (est. around 250,000) “Nothing was gained by either side. But America had demonstrated its willingness to defend the policy of containment in battle, and at the same time prudence in restraining its superior firepower (the Atomic Bomb).”