the korean war america’s forgotten war. origins: civil war in china recall: during the age of...
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The Korean War
America’s Forgotten War
Origins: Civil War in China
Recall: During the age of imperialism, China was divided under “Spheres of Influence.”
Recall: Japan invaded China (Manchuria) during 1930s, WWII.
• Reaction?– Nationalism sweeps over China!
• Some call for powerful democracy.• Others see Communism as the solution
to building a strong country.– Two sides fought in a long Civil War!
• Outcome: Communists win in 1949!
CHINA BECOMES THE WORLD’S SECOND COMMUNIST COUNTRY
in 1949!
Dividing KoreaRecall: During WWII, Japan had
also expanded into Korea.• Reaction: Most Koreans
became nationalistic.– Outcome: Plans for Korean
independence were never worked out before the fall of Japan.
• Temporary Solution?– Korea divided at 38th
Parallel!» Soviets occupy North» USA occupies South» Occupying forces
withdraw in 1949…
The Conflict Begins…• 1950 North Korea attacks South Korea.
– Why does the US intervene?1. Containment
• Review - What is this again?
2. Domino Theory• First Russia, now China, then… ?
– “Proxy War”• USA and USSR never in direct
conflict• USA supports any government that is
against one supported by the USSR.
USA Becomes Involved
• UN Involvement– Truman seeks UN
support.• USSR protests!
– Officially deemed a “UN Peace-keeping Action,” though 80% of military presence is from USA.
Waging the War: MacArthur’s Strategy
• Douglas MacArthur– War hero from WWI, WWII,
strong anti-communist.– Headed post-war occupation in
Japan, South Korea• War Strategy
– North Korea had advanced quickly
• Supply lines thin?– Land US forces at Inchon.
Forces will cut off supply lines from North Korea.
• Also advance from South (Pusan)
– Strategy works!• Invaders flee across 38th
parallel.
The War, Cont’d
• Troops Keep Advancing– US and South Korea begin
talks of creating a pro-western democratic gov’t.
• Chinese Involvement– Chinese warn US not to
advance past Korean border.– MacArthur does anyway.
• “Home By Christmas”
– China backs North Korea, pushes South Korean and US forces back to 38th parallel.
Truman vs. MacArthur
• Invade China?– MacArthur wants to back
the Chinese Nationalists Army (Taiwan) in an “invasion” of China.
• Truman opposes, fears widespread war in Asia.
• MacArthur sends letter to House Minority leader attacking Truman’s policies, March 1951.
– Truman fires MacArthur for insubordination!
End and Legacy of the War• Continuing Stalemate
– Little movement persisted from either side for two years.
– 1953, Armistice signed.• Still fighting?
• Legacy– Containment
• US began to see that wars in the atomic age would be limited victories.
– Fear of Russian nukes!• US Role in the World
– US began to see itself as world policeman (permanent mobilization of troops).
• Future Policies in Asia– US signs treaty with Japan– Vietnam?
Korean War Recap