KOREAN WAR 조국해방전쟁 한국전쟁

Korean War, During WWII which country had control of Korea? After WWII, Korea was divided into Communist North and democratic South Korea North Korean communist forces cross the 38th parallel and invade South Korea. Truman orders U.S. forces to assist the South Koreans *WHY? The U.N. Security Council condemns the action and decides this should be a decision for the UN! Soviet Union absent from this VOTE U.N’s Top 5 U.S., USSR, Britain, France… & TAIWAN?

UN International force to Korea to stop the invasion! September N. Koreans controlled entire Korean peninsula except for a tiny area around Pusan.

(1)South Korean’s still had a stronghold in Pusan. Troops move North. (2)General MacArthur launched a surprise attack at Inchon. Troops move South. SMUSH!!! (3)UN troops are able to push N. Koreans to China’s border. Who feels threatened now? THE FIGHT

COMMIE CHINA! October China sends 300,000 troops into North Korea. China pushes UN forces out of N. Korea and even Captures S. Korea’s capital, Seoul. MACARTHUR RECOMMENDS ATTACKING CHINA MacArthur convinced that Korea was the place “where the Communist conspirators have elected to make their play for global conquest” Recommended attacking China & called for the use of nuclear weapons Truman rejects MacArthur’s request – Reminds MacArthur that USSR had mutual assistance Pact with China & attacking China would lead to WWIII MacArthur tried to go over President’s head; *Truman fired MacArthur

Settling for Stalemate Location of cease-fire line at the existing battle line Establishment of a demilitarized zone between opposing sides STALEMATE – N. Korean invaders had been pushed back – Communism had been contained w/out use of nuclear weapons

Kim Jong Il Passed away December 2011 Kim Jong Uh 32 years old

The Vietnam War

Background to the War  France controlled “ Indochina ” since the late 19 th century zIndochina consists of Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia zHo Chi Minh tried to gain independence for Vietnam since WWI zFrance tried to regain control after WWII zWhat country had taken control? zVietnamese fight a guerrilla war against reoccupation

Background to the War P Vietnamese join together to fight France! Sound familiar? P France surrenders 1954 P Vietnam divided at 17 th parallel  Ho Chi Minh ’ s nationalist (communists) forces controlled the North  Ngo Dinh Diem, “ democracy ” in South O France & U.S. establish the Anti-communist government In S.V. – Familiar? *Ngo ruled the south as a dictator- the South Vietnamese suffered under his rule.

Early Protests of Ngo Dinh Diem’s Government by a Buddhist Monk Self-immolation by a Buddhist Monk

US Gov’t feels Vietnam is important to America. Domino Theory-if SV falls to communism, other countries will quickly follow (mainly in SE Asia) Containment-larger US policy against communism; prevent it from expanding its territory or spreading its influence WHY did the US Support the corrupt South?

Gulf of Tonkin 1963 Ngo is assassinated (but not by who you would think…) August U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sends troops “b/c two U.S. destroyers were attacked by N.V. patrol boats in Gulf of Tonkin.” ½ million soldiers by [I]t is not simply that there is a different story as to what happened; it is that no attack happened that night.

Who Is the Enemy? zVietcong zVietcong: P Farmers by day; guerilla warriors at night; willing to accept many casualties P American sends more troops to avoid Vietcong takeover. P U.S. army best trained army in world but losing to the Vietcong! The guerilla wins if he does not lose, the conventional army loses if it does not win. -- M MM Mao Zedong

Vietcong Supported by many people in both South and North Vietnam. – South supports because gov’t unpopular U.S. has trouble fighting on unfamiliar territory. Late 1960’s- US bombed farmland and forest (civilian targets)- U.S. protests.

Vietnamization Nixon’s Plan U.S. begins to withdraw troops & South Vietnam increases its military role Last U.S. forces leave in 1973 N. Vietnam overruns the South. 1.5 million Vietnamese Dead 58,000 American Dead Anyone know a Vietnam Veteran? – 22

The Fall of Saigon South Vietnamese Attempt to Flee the Country

The Fall of Saigon America Abandons Its Embassy April 30, 1975

The Fall of Saigon North Vietnamese at the Presidential Palace

Formerly Saigon A United Vietnam