1. The Korean War
Part 1

2. Korea North = USSR, Communism South = USA, Democratic
Once controlled by Japan
After WWII, divided by the United States and the Soviet Union
Division between the North and the South along the 38°Parallel
North = USSR, Communism
South = USA, Democratic

3. Korea Divided Syngman Rhee = Korea Kim Il-Sung = North Korea
South Korea encouraged by the USA to have elections
The Soviet Union opposes this action
Syngman Rhee = Korea
Kim Il-Sung = North Korea
Both halves become recognized as independent nations
US and Soviet troops withdraw from the peninsula in June 1949

4. North Korea invades North Korea begins to rebuild their army
Stalin will provide military and economic aid
June 25th, 1949: North Korea invades South Korea
90,000 troops
Overtook Seoul, the capital of South Korea, within days

5. -President Truman, June 27th, 1949
U.S. defends the south
Remembering appeasement
Other considerations…
Truman Doctrine (Greece & Turkey)
1949: Soviets launch their first atomic bomb
1949: Fall of China to Communism
Facing an election year
Truman wants to boost credentials
MORAL REASONS!!!!
“Communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war…If we don’t put up a fight now, there’s not telling what they’ll do…”
-President Truman, June 27th, 1949

6. America calls on the United Nations
USA, South Korea, and 15 members of the U.N. contribute support
**RESOLUTION PASSES: FALL OF CHINA—Soviets Boycott the UN, not there to veto!!
America calls on the United Nations
United States announces military aid to South Korea and UN agrees

7. Limited War vs. Total War
Truman’s Goal
Limited War vs. Total War
Wants to help but not become directly involved… so as to not start WWIII (still be a part of the situation without breaking status-quo)
*Will lead to concept of Police Action
PROXY WAR: a war instigated by a major power that does not itself become directly involved
United States?
Soviet Union?

8. Police action vs declaration of War
Truman never gives formal declaration of war
Describes the US aid to South Korea as a “Police Action”
POLICE ACTIOIN: instead of enacting total war (full scale use of troops sent overseas, all of power, etc.) they just use limited resources (only troops already station in Japan)
**Important because it sets precedent for future conflicts…

9. Realities of war
South Korea troops did not have training or equipment to stop invasion
North Korean troops with Soviet made weapons overwhelmed South Korea and its allies
September 1950: North Korea nearly overruns all of South Korea
**Cornered in Puson!!!

10. Other Perspectives
A close up shot of individuals’ view on the Korean War

11. Other Perspectives How does this author view the Korean War?
Read the following texts in your group of five. Answer the following questions for each document on a piece of paper:
How does this author view the Korean War?
What do they say about the US Government or the idea of “Police Action”? Is it favorable or unfavorable?
How does this text differ from the way political leaders have described the war?

12. Trapped at pusan 2 months after initial North Korean invasion
Site of massive casualties for UN and United States forces
Casualty rates in 30% range
Lost 6,886 Americans since intervention
Obstacles:
Poorly trained troops
Ignorance of landscape
Outdated weapons
Rampant dysentery
Numerical superiority of North Korean Troops

13. General Douglas MacArthur
Put in command of a multinational force to assist in defending South Korea
Comes up with a daring plan
Plan questioned by military advisers

14. Invasion at inch’0n September 15th, 1950 Lost only 21 Americans
Recaptured Seoul by September 27th
North Korean troops pushed back to 38th Parallel

15. Reevaluation OF the War
Used to be about defending South Korea…
Belief that Soviet and Chinese troops would be unwilling to engage American forces
September 27, 1950: Truman authorizes MacArthur’s forces to cross the 38th parallel
2 months later, United States, United Nations, and South Korean forces faced the Yalu River