Did you know…Did you know…► The "S" in Harry S Truman is not an abbreviation--it is The "S" in Harry S Truman is not an abbreviation--it is

Truman's complete middle name!Truman's complete middle name!► His parents could not agree on whether to honor his His parents could not agree on whether to honor his

father's father, Anderson Shippe Truman, or his father's father, Anderson Shippe Truman, or his mother's father, Solomon Young, and so the mother's father, Solomon Young, and so the noncommittal initial was accepted as a compromise. noncommittal initial was accepted as a compromise.

The charming Mrs.

Truman

The Korean WarThe Korean War

Violent HistoryViolent History

► Korea's Korea's locationlocation plays a plays a major role in its history. major role in its history. The Korean peninsula is The Korean peninsula is

strategically located on the strategically located on the northeastern coast of Asia. northeastern coast of Asia.

It lies south of Russia, east It lies south of Russia, east of of ChinaChina and northwest of and northwest of Japan. Japan.

► ““A A ShrimpShrimp Crushed Crushed Between Whales” Between Whales”

This refers to Korea and the This refers to Korea and the fact that the relatively small fact that the relatively small country was often a country was often a casualtycasualty in battles between its more in battles between its more powerful neighbors. powerful neighbors.

►Korea had been Korea had been occupied by occupied by JapanJapan from 1910-1945.from 1910-1945.

►Anti-Japanese Anti-Japanese protest in Seoul, protest in Seoul, Korea in 1919.Korea in 1919.

►After being After being liberated from liberated from Japan after WWII, Japan after WWII, Korea was dividedKorea was divided

North KoreaNorth Korea►Socialist Socialist

dictatorship under dictatorship under SovietSoviet influence influence

South KoreaSouth Korea►Right-wing Right-wing

dictatorship under dictatorship under AmericanAmerican influence influence

Label your map:

-North Korea -South Korea -38th Parallel -Korea Strait

-Sea of Japan -Seoul -Pyongyang

War Breaks OutWar Breaks Out

► June 25, 1950June 25, 1950 North Korean troops North Korean troops

cross south across the cross south across the 3838thth parallel parallel in an in an invasion of South invasion of South Korea.Korea.

The South Koreans are The South Koreans are ill-equipped and lose ill-equipped and lose their capitol of their capitol of SeoulSeoul within 3 days.within 3 days. Draw arrows representing the

invasion on your map.

ResponseResponse► Troops from the United Troops from the United

Nations (led by Nations (led by AmericaAmerica) are ) are sent to “repel the armed sent to “repel the armed attack.”attack.”

► Truman reasonedTruman reasoned ““A return to the rule of force in A return to the rule of force in

international affairs would have international affairs would have far-reaching effects. The United far-reaching effects. The United States will continue to States will continue to upholduphold the rule of law.”the rule of law.”

He later reflected that his He later reflected that his decision to enter the Korean decision to enter the Korean War was the War was the toughesttoughest decision decision he had to make as president.he had to make as president.

Another war already?Another war already?

► In a speech several months before the In a speech several months before the invasion Secretary of State Dean invasion Secretary of State Dean AchesonAcheson did not even include Korea in the U.S. did not even include Korea in the U.S. defense perimeter in East Asia. defense perimeter in East Asia.

► In June 1950 most Americans had never In June 1950 most Americans had never heard of Korea and could not find it on a heard of Korea and could not find it on a map. map.

► Prior to the end of World War II the only Prior to the end of World War II the only American’s that had contact with Korea American’s that had contact with Korea were were missionariesmissionaries and a few merchants. and a few merchants.

► Now American troops were packing their Now American troops were packing their gear and heading for an gear and heading for an unknownunknown country. country.

► The Americans and troops from other The Americans and troops from other countries entered into a limited war - a war countries entered into a limited war - a war that was not "that was not "officiallyofficially" declared - but rather " declared - but rather a police action. a police action.

► Truman did not use the term Truman did not use the term warwar in in reference to Korea. reference to Korea.

► When asked by a reporter if our intervention When asked by a reporter if our intervention in Korea was a "in Korea was a "police actionpolice action under the under the U.N." the president responded "yes, that is U.N." the president responded "yes, that is exactly what it amounts to."exactly what it amounts to."

Military IntegrationMilitary Integration

► President Truman and others President Truman and others were particularly disturbed by were particularly disturbed by reports of mistreatment of black reports of mistreatment of black veterans who had served ably veterans who had served ably during the Second World War.during the Second World War.

► Executive Order 9981 on July 26, Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 19481948 declared that "there shall be declared that "there shall be equality of treatment and equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national race, color, religion or national origin.“origin.“

► There was much objection within There was much objection within the military, but by 1953 90% of the military, but by 1953 90% of the units were desegregated. the units were desegregated.

► It soon became apparent It soon became apparent that the North Koreans that the North Koreans had had ChineseChinese and and RussianRussian backing. backing.

► While the American While the American forces were operating at forces were operating at a fraction of their World a fraction of their World War II strength, the North War II strength, the North Koreans were at Koreans were at full full strengthstrength and backed-up and backed-up by Chinese and Soviet by Chinese and Soviet troops.troops.

For example - at the end For example - at the end of World War II the U.S. of World War II the U.S. Army had approximately Army had approximately 5.75.7 million troops and at million troops and at the beginning of the the beginning of the Korean War there were Korean War there were 593,000 troops593,000 troops

Counteroffensive Part ICounteroffensive Part I

► September-October September-October 19501950► U.N. forces, under the U.N. forces, under the

command of U.S. Gen. command of U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur, landed , landed at the port of Inchon near at the port of Inchon near Seoul on September 15, Seoul on September 15, 1950. 1950.

► U.N. forces, breaking out U.N. forces, breaking out from from PusanPusan and coming and coming south from Inchon, were south from Inchon, were able to overwhelm the able to overwhelm the Northern troops in South Northern troops in South Korea. Korea.

► Seoul was taken by U.N. Seoul was taken by U.N. forces on forces on September 26September 26..

Counteroffensive Part IICounteroffensive Part II

► U.N. forces moved north of the 38th parallel, capturing U.N. forces moved north of the 38th parallel, capturing the Northern capital the Northern capital PyongyangPyongyang on October 19. on October 19.

► Despite warnings from Despite warnings from ChinaChina that it would not accept that it would not accept the presence of U.N. troops in North Korea, MacArthur the presence of U.N. troops in North Korea, MacArthur continued to move his forces northwardcontinued to move his forces northward with the announced intention of with the announced intention of unifyingunifying the Korean peninsula. the Korean peninsula. Some U.N. forces reached the Some U.N. forces reached the YaluYalu River -- the border between River -- the border between

North Korea and China -- on October 25.North Korea and China -- on October 25.

►Label your Label your mapmap PusanPusan Yalu RiverYalu River

China Enters the WarChina Enters the War

►The next day, a Chinese The next day, a Chinese force estimated at force estimated at between 130,000 and between 130,000 and 300,000 attacked the 300,000 attacked the U.N. forces -- quickly U.N. forces -- quickly pushing them pushing them southwardsouthward in a in a disorderly retreat. disorderly retreat.

►The U.N. abandoned The U.N. abandoned Pyongyang on Pyongyang on December 4.December 4.

►The U.S. Navy evacuated tens of The U.S. Navy evacuated tens of thousands of thousands of refugeesrefugees and U.N. personnel and U.N. personnel from the ports of Hungnam and Wonsan.from the ports of Hungnam and Wonsan.

ArmisticeArmistice

►U.N. forces reoccupied U.N. forces reoccupied SeoulSeoul in March 1951. in March 1951.

►From there they were From there they were able to able to advanceadvance slightly north of the slightly north of the 38th parallel.38th parallel.

►This line eventually This line eventually became the became the borderborder..

Bye-bye Mac!Bye-bye Mac!

► In April 1951, In April 1951, MacArthurMacArthur -- -- who had openly disagreed who had openly disagreed with President Truman over with President Truman over how to conduct the war -- how to conduct the war -- was was relievedrelieved of his of his command.command.

► MacArthur conceived of the MacArthur conceived of the Korean war as a holy war; he Korean war as a holy war; he kept talking about launching kept talking about launching atomicatomic strikes, all of which strikes, all of which made Truman and other made Truman and other leaders very nervous!leaders very nervous!

Truman’s Press StatementTruman’s Press Statement

► I have thought long and hard about this question of extending I have thought long and hard about this question of extending the war in Asia. I have discussed it many times with the ablest the war in Asia. I have discussed it many times with the ablest military advisers in the country. I believe with all my heart that military advisers in the country. I believe with all my heart that the course we are following is the best course.the course we are following is the best course.

► I believe that we must try to limit war to Korea for these vital I believe that we must try to limit war to Korea for these vital reasons: to make sure that the precious lives of our fighting men reasons: to make sure that the precious lives of our fighting men are not wasted; to see that the security of our country and the are not wasted; to see that the security of our country and the free world is not needlessly jeopardized; and to prevent a third free world is not needlessly jeopardized; and to prevent a third world war.world war.

► A number of events have made it evident that General A number of events have made it evident that General MacArthur did not agree with that policy. I have therefore MacArthur did not agree with that policy. I have therefore considered it essential to relieve General MacArthur so that considered it essential to relieve General MacArthur so that there would be no doubt or confusion as to the real purpose and there would be no doubt or confusion as to the real purpose and aim of our policy.aim of our policy.

► It was with the deepest personal regret that I found myself It was with the deepest personal regret that I found myself compelled to take this action. General MacArthur is one of our compelled to take this action. General MacArthur is one of our greatest military commanders. But the cause of world peace is greatest military commanders. But the cause of world peace is more important than any individual.more important than any individual.

► I have just left your fighting sons in Korea. They have met all tests there, and I can I have just left your fighting sons in Korea. They have met all tests there, and I can report to you without reservation that they are splendid in every way. report to you without reservation that they are splendid in every way.

► It was my constant effort to preserve them and end this savage conflict honorably It was my constant effort to preserve them and end this savage conflict honorably and with the least loss of time and a minimum sacrifice of life. Its growing and with the least loss of time and a minimum sacrifice of life. Its growing bloodshed has caused me the deepest anguish and anxiety. Those gallant men will bloodshed has caused me the deepest anguish and anxiety. Those gallant men will remain often in my thoughts and in my prayers always. remain often in my thoughts and in my prayers always.

► I am closing my fifty-two years of military service. When I joined the army, even I am closing my fifty-two years of military service. When I joined the army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all my boyish hopes and before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all my boyish hopes and dreams. dreams.

► The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barracks ballads of that day which proclaimed refrain of one of the most popular barracks ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that old soldiers never die; they just fade away. most proudly that old soldiers never die; they just fade away.

► And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Good-bye. duty. Good-bye.

ArmisticeArmistice

► Truce talks began on July 10, Truce talks began on July 10, 19511951. . ► By that time, the war had become By that time, the war had become staticstatic -- --

with neither side making any real advances.with neither side making any real advances.► Disagreement over several issues, including Disagreement over several issues, including

the exchange of the exchange of prisonersprisoners, delayed the , delayed the signing of an armistice for another two years.signing of an armistice for another two years.

ArmisticeArmistice

► Many South Koreans Many South Koreans had hoped for had hoped for re-re-unificationunification and and protested the armistice.protested the armistice.

► Since the Armistice of Since the Armistice of 1953, about 1953, about 1,0001,000 North Koreans fled to North Koreans fled to South Korea and South Korea and perhaps perhaps 100100 or so or so South Koreans fled to South Koreans fled to Pyongyang in North Pyongyang in North Korea. Korea.

Cost of WarCost of War

► North and South North and South Koreans had endured Koreans had endured threethree years of years of bombing and shelling.bombing and shelling.

► U.N. and South U.N. and South Korean casualties Korean casualties were estimated at were estimated at more than more than 550,000550,000..

► While North Korean While North Korean and Chinese and Chinese casualties were casualties were believed to be around believed to be around 1.5 million1.5 million. .

Cost of WarCost of WarThe widespread use of The widespread use of NapalmNapalm by UN forces had devastating by UN forces had devastating

consequences.consequences.

► ““In front of us a curious figure In front of us a curious figure was standing, a little crouched, was standing, a little crouched, legs straddled, arms held out legs straddled, arms held out from his sides. He had no eyes, from his sides. He had no eyes, and the whole of his body, nearly and the whole of his body, nearly all of which was visible through all of which was visible through tatters of burnt rags, was covered tatters of burnt rags, was covered with a hard black crust speckled with a hard black crust speckled with yellow puss…He had to with yellow puss…He had to stand because he was no longer stand because he was no longer covered with skin, but with a covered with skin, but with a crust-like crackling which broke crust-like crackling which broke easily…I thought of the hundreds easily…I thought of the hundreds of villages reduced to ash which I of villages reduced to ash which I had personally seen and realized had personally seen and realized the sort of casulaty list which the sort of casulaty list which must be mounting up along the must be mounting up along the Korean front.”Korean front.”

-BBC Journalist-BBC Journalist

Demilitarized ZoneDemilitarized Zone

►As part of the As part of the cease-firecease-fire, both sides , both sides agreed to withdraw 2 kilometers along agreed to withdraw 2 kilometers along the final battleground and establish a the final battleground and establish a demilitarizeddemilitarized zone along the armistice zone along the armistice line -- a zone that still exists today.line -- a zone that still exists today.

Observation post at

Demilitarized Zone,

looking from North Korea

to South

Korea

DMZDMZ

Significance of the Korean Significance of the Korean WarWar

►Extension of containment policyExtension of containment policy►Conflict still arises today between Conflict still arises today between

North and South KoreaNorth and South Korea