1. The Korean War Korean Textbooks
5/2 Agenda
USSR: Cuts off trains and roads to Berlin
USA: Uses airplanes
Soviet Union:
The Korean War
Korean Textbooks

2. The Korean War

3. Go Nationalists! Go Communists!
Mao Zedong
Go Communists!
Chiang Kai-shek
After WWII, Mao Zedong and the Communists gained control in China creating a civil war between the communists and nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek.

4. Go Nationalists! Go Communists!
Mao Zedong
Go Communists!
Chiang Kai-shek
2. Truman did not send much aid to the nationalists, making it difficult for the peasants to resist the communists.

5. People’s Republic of China
3. After years of fighting, the Communists won and formed the People’s Republic of China

6. 4. Americans began to question Truman’s administration
4. Americans began to question Truman’s administration. If containing communism was important in Europe, why was it not equally important in Asia? (Domino Theory)

7. 5. Following WWII, Soviets occupied North Korea above the 38th Parallel helping build the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, while the South Koreans received aid from the Americans. Unfortunately, Truman withdrew his troops (armed forces).

8. 6. On June 25, 1950, North Korea invade South Korea.
7. South Korea appealed to the United Nations, but when voted upon the Soviet Union was not present due to its protest of United Nations’ acceptance of the nationalists in Taiwan.

9. “this apparatus will make men like me obsolete
“this apparatus will make men like me obsolete.” MacArthur on the atomic bomb
8. June 27, Truman sends troops under the command of MacArthur to support the South Koreans.

10. 9. Despite the seemingly unstoppable North Korea, MacArthur launched a massive amphibious counterattack on September 15th. The North Koreans were successfully pushed back beyond the 38th parallel by the UN troops.

11. 10. China realizes the threat of the United States being close to their border and needed Korea to act as a “buffer zone” zone.
11. The Chinese pushed the United Nations troops back south of the 38th parallel due to their overwhelming numbers.

12. No! That would cause WWIII!
Invade China!
No! That would cause WWIII!
12. MacArthur demanded Americans invade China, but Truman refused to send troops claiming it would result in WWIII.

13. No! That would cause WWIII!
Invade China!
No! That would cause WWIII!
13. Tension developed between President Truman and General MacArthur, ending with the firing of MacArthur for his criticism.

14. 14. Truce talks began in July 1951 resulting in a stalemate
14.Truce talks began in July 1951 resulting in a stalemate. North of the 38th parallel would remain communist.
15. The Korean War increased the fear of Communism in the United States resulting in tension on the home front.

15. Peace talks Ceasefire Police Action The cost July 27, 1953 Not PEACE
54,000 US Casualties
Nearly 1 million Chinese
Nearly 1 million Korean
$67 Billion

16. Effects of the Korean War
Massive military buildup
“Korea saved us” – Dean Acheson
Zero territory gained
Did the U.S. Win?

17. Demilitarized Zone

18. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES DIFFERENT TEXTBOOKS