1. The Forgotten War
Korean War

2. Dividing Korea Japan controlled Korea prior to WWII During WWII
Soviet and US troops fought and defeated the Japanese in Korea
Soviet and US decided to split Korea at the 38th parallel (38º North) into two separate zones of occupation
Communists came to power in the North, and pro-Americans gained power in South
Soviets and Americans left by 1949

5. Communists Take Over in China
Chinese government was headed by nationalist Chang Kai-Shek
Communist leader Mao Zedong led a civil war against the government
In 1949 the Communists took over
Nationalists were forced off the mainland to Tawain

8. The War Begins Both sides of the 38th parallel wanted a unified Korea
June 1950 North invaded the South to unite by force
Americans were concerned about the spread of communism
Truman uses containment and the Truman Doctrine to defend South Korea

10. Waging the War
Truman chose WWII hero General Douglass MacArthur to lead the fight in Korea
South Korea was almost completely overrun except for the port city of Pusan
MacArthur concluded that the North’s rapid advance left their supply lines weak
MacArthur landed troops at both Inchon and Pusan
With US troops surrounding the North Korean troops at both the North and South, the North Korean army retreated

12. Waging the War Continued
US troops began to pursue the North Koreans with the idea of uniting Korea under the South’s control
Chinese communists did not want a pro-US neighbor
Chinese warned the US not to advance any further north
MacArthur announces his “home by Christmas” offensive in November 1950
Chinese sent troops

14. Stalemate and End
Chinese aided the North to push the South (US) back to the 38th parallel
A stalemate at that line developed
MacArthur and Truman disagreed about a strategy
they argued, and Truman fired MacArthur
deadly fighting occurred on the frontlines
When the war ended in 1953, the Korea was still divided at almost exactly the same spot it was before the war (38th parallel)

16. Effects 34,000 Americans dead – 103,000 wounded
Debate about whether this was a success or a failure
1st war where integrated units fought together
Furthered aggravated relations with China that exist even today
Technically we are still at war, because no treaty was ever signed – ended with a cease-fire