1. The Cold War Gets HOT
China and Korea

2. China The US had other communist problems
China was having a civil war between the government of Chiang Kai-Shek and the Communists led by Mao Zedong

3. The US thought of Chiang Kai-shek as a friend
Mao had the peasants on his side
In 1949, Mao defeated Kai-shek and overnight 500 million people became communist
Truman took a lot of heat over that

4. Korea
Japan
China
Philippines

5. Korea After WWII Korea was divided at 38th parallel
USSR controlled the North
US controlled the South
Each side wanted total control

6. June 1950: North Korean army—supported by USSR—crossed 38th parallel
Truman viewed as Soviet aggression, not civil war
Within days US troops were fighting in South Korea
It wasn’t going well

7. North Korea was winning at first
Truman sent General Douglas MacArthur to save Korea
Within 2 weeks drove back North Korean forces to 38th parallel

8. China Chinese Invasion American Retreat
October 1950: UN forces crossed the 38th parallel
Unification became the goal
China warned they would respond with force
Chinese attacked and pushed American troops back
American
Retreat

9. Mac wanted to use Atomic bomb on China Truman said, “NO!”
You’re fired!
Mac wanted to use Atomic bomb on China
Truman said, “NO!”
Mac disagreed with Truman publicly
Truman fired Mac
Americans loved Mac and were very upset.

10. The war would continue for 3 years: 1950-1953
54,000 Americans would die; 113,000 injured
Up to 4 million Koreans killed
Korea is still divided today