1. Korean War

2. Today’s Objective After today’s lesson, students will be able to…
Explain how the Korean War resulted from heightened tensions and resulted in further heightening Cold War tensions
Essential Skill
Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

3. China! Who Lost China?
Chiang Kai-shek (nationalist) and Mao Zedong (communist) civil war continued post World War II
Chiang Kai-shek’s forces fled to Taiwan in 1949

4. Divided Korea
Following WWII, Korea was divided along the 38th Parallel
US backed the South (Republic of Korea)
USSR backed the North (People’s Republic of Korea)
June 25, 1950
Soviet-backed North Korean troops invaded the South

5. U.S. Containment Truman – “Korea is the Greece of the Far East”
Stop the spread of communism
Memories of WWII appeasement
Prevent World War III
Domestic political impact
Show Republicans that Democrats are not “soft” on Communism

6. United Nations Involvement
Truman secures UN support for a “police action” against North Korean aggressors
No congressional approval, no declaration of war
U.S. made up 50% of troops, South Korea made up 40%

7. MacArthur vs. Truman MacArthur China warns against invasion
Wants to invade North Korea and China
Suggests atomic weapons
“In war, there is no substitute for victory!”
China warns against invasion
Chinese counterattack
Truman fires MacArthur in April, 1951

8. Truman and the War “Limited war for limited goals”
Did not support expansive ground war with China or possible atomic war with USSR
Criticized heavily at home

9. Effects…by the numbers
Cease fire signed July 27, 1953
54,246 American troops killed
103, wounded and missing
$54 billion cost

10. Effects…continued Reinforced Containment as a global policy
NSC-68’s recommended “build-up” continued
Tripled U.S. defense budget
Reaffirmed perception that USSR led communist revolt in China and sought more worldwide spread
Established a divided Korean peninsula still to this day

11. Still about 40 US troops there, along with South Korean troops

12. Two Koreas Today

13. Two Koreas Today Data South Korea North Korea Population 48.46 million
GDP ($US, PPP)
$1.335 trillion
$40 billion
GDP per capita
$24,840
$1,800 estimate
Life expectancy 79 67
Mortality rate, under 5 (per 1000 live births) 5 55
Internet users (per 1000 people)
75.9
Avg. Male height
5’ 8 ½”
5’ 4 ½”
Avg. Female height
5’ 3”
5’ 1”
Note: Prior to division, Koreans were same size, today 9 year olds in NK are often
mistaken for 5 year olds, NK had to eliminate 5’3” height requirement for military b/c
many soldiers are less than 5 foot tall today

14. Discussion Questions
To what extent did MacArthur have the right to criticize Truman?
Who won the Korean War?
Why is the Korean War is known as the “Forgotten War?”
What are the dangers of Congress not formally declaring war?