Korean War
Laura Vinacua and Andrea Forment
Background Information
Until 1945 Korea was ruled by Japan.
1945 end of WWII, north Korea was liberated by soviets, south by Americans.
North was communist controlled by communist leader trained in USSR (one party system)
South is anti communist, not very democratic but enough for US support.
Hostility between North communist leader: Kim Il Sung and South Korean leader: Syngman Rhee.
This would led to a war that started June 1950 to July 1953.
Textbook
The War Begins…
June 1950-
In 1950 North Korea troops overwhelmed South Korean forces; North Korea invades South Korea.
September of 1950 all South Korea except small corner of Southeast was under communist control.
www.history.navy.mil
U.S Interest in the Area.
Truman sends advisers to waters around Korea
US pressures UN to condemn North Korean actions
USA was biggest contributor to UN budget so in powerful influence position.
www.history.navy.mil
The UN Votes on Intervation Plan
June 25 of 1950 the United Nations drafted UNSC Resolution 82, which called for:
1.” all hostilities to end and North Korea to withdraw to the 38th Parallel;
2. a UN Commission on Korea to be formed to monitor the situation and report to the Security Council;
3. all UN members to support the United Nations in achieving this, and refrain from providing assistance to the North Korean authorities.”
The resolution was passed by the security council thanks to the Soviet absence.
since ussr is boycotting un cant veto; china isnt in UN since it became comm,…
Wikipedia on Korean War
US and UN Intervention
UN led by the US intervenes with help of other UN members (police action against aggressor)
UN and US have a lot of equipment.
UN forces storm ashore at Inchon in September 1950. And advanced from Pusan.
UN and US almost won, and are in North, (drive north Koreans back from original border 38th parellel)
UN and US have a lot of equipment, and experience from WWII
UN forces storm ashore at Inchon in September 1950. And advanced from Pusan.
UN and US almost won, and are in North, (drive north Koreans back from original border 38th parellel)
Textbook
www.history.navy.mil
Chinese involvement
Despite the warnings from the Chinese leader Mao Tse-Tung, Americans continued advancing.
By October (1950) US forces had reached Yalu river and border with china.
China intervenes – “people’s volunteers” join north Koreans in late October 1950.
Had modern tanks and planes supplied by USSR
Americans had achieved goal but continued pushing (despite warnings from Chinese leader, Mao Tse-tung)
By October (1950) US forces had reached yalu river and border with china… it was seen that Macarthur and Truman didn’t only want to protect S Korea, but eliminate comm. From Korea entirely.
but then china openly intervenes – “people’s volunteers” join north koreans in late oct 1950.
attack with strongly commited soldiers
had modern tanks and planes supplied by USSR (intervenening not so openly)
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
Textbook
The War carries on…
For the next three years the borders were constantly shifting.
After the Chinese intervention the UN and US are pulled back to the middle of South Korea.
After china was also forced to retreat.
There was finally a stalemate at about the 38th parallel.
[truman says saving S korea is enough , Macarthur suggests invading china and even using nuclear arms
UN outrules
march 1951 macarthur ignores un instruction and openly threatens china
truman brings macarthur back home]
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
Maps of War
The War Ends
June 1951 front lines stabilized & negotiation begins btween s and north.
Fighting continues until 1952 when Eisenhower replaces Truman (Eisenhower wants to end war)
27 July 1953 new regime in USSR (Stalin dies) , ended comm offensive,
Negotiations conclude, North Korea and China are less confident wo soviet leadership and help.
Fighting ends. Armistice July 1953.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
Textbook
www.history.navy.mil
Korea After the War
After the war ended, the frontier between both Koreas was almost in the same place as the 38th parallel, but a little bit more to the north.
The region around the new “line” was a demilititarized zone.
Casualties
South Korean military; 1.3 million
North Korean military; 520,000
Over 3 million civilian casualties.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
UN and US after the War
UN Gained respect because the had stopped the agression using joint action between members.
Casualties:17,000
US was able to stop communism
Casualties: 142,000
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
Russia and China after the War
Russia: now had China as an allie against US.
No casualties but was the start of arms race with US.
China: gained respect of Asian Communism
Casualties: 900,000
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/korea.htm
Policy of containment?
The US’s policy of containment was generally succesfull because they kept South Korea non-communist
The rest of Korea (North Korea) was still communist.
www.history.navy.mil
Effects of Korean War on Cold War
The Korean War was a proxy war, of the Cold War; it was not fought in Soviet or US region but they were still fighting communism vs noncommunism.
The Korean War “warmed up” the Cold War, which would continue for decades.
www.history.navy.mil
Historical Significance of Korean War
It was significant because it was the first war with in the cold war fought in Asia.
THE END
