THE TRUMAN YEARSTHE TRUMAN YEARS1945-19521945-1952

HARRY S TRUMANHARRY S TRUMAN

“Give ‘em hell Harry!”

“The buck stops here!”

“If you can’t stand theheat, get out of the kitchen.”

Gained notoriety on WWII Senate watchdog committee on defense spending --- saved U.S. gov’t lots of money.

YALTA YALTA CONFERENCECONFERENCE

February 1945February 1945 Yalta, U.S.S.R.Yalta, U.S.S.R. Agreements:Agreements:

– Eastern European countries would be free to Eastern European countries would be free to choose their own form of gov’tchoose their own form of gov’t

– Germany to be divided into 4 zones of Germany to be divided into 4 zones of occupation by the 4 Alliesoccupation by the 4 Allies

– Berlin, in the Soviet zone of Germany, would Berlin, in the Soviet zone of Germany, would also be divided by the 4 powersalso be divided by the 4 powers

– Stalin promises to enter war against Japan after Germany defeated …. (did he?)

POTSDAM CONFERENCEPOTSDAM CONFERENCE July – August, 1945 Truman and Stalin and Churchill Ultimatum to Japan – surrender or else Truman insists German industry be

allowed to recover but Stalin wants reparations

Agreement:– German industry allowed to revive in the

British, American and French zones

– Stalin gets reparations from only the Soviet zone of Germany (not happy since it was primarily agricultural)

Truman tells Stalin of U.S. atomic bomb testing

WW II WW II CasualtieCasualties: Europes: Europe

WW II WW II CasualtieCasualties: Europes: Europe

Each symbol indicates 100,000

dead in the appropriate theater

of operations

RESULTS OF WWIIRESULTS OF WWII

WW II WW II Casualties: AsiaCasualties: Asia

WW II WW II Casualties: AsiaCasualties: Asia

Each symbol indicates 100,000

dead in the appropriate theater

of operations

WW II WW II CasualtiCasualti

eses

WW II WW II CasualtiCasualti

eses

Country Country Men in Men in

war war Battle Battle

deaths deaths WoundedWounded

Australia Australia 1,000,000 1,000,000 26,976 26,976 180,864180,864

Austria Austria 800,000 800,000 280,000 280,000 350,117350,117

Belgium Belgium 625,000 625,000 8,460 8,460 55,51355,51311

BrazilBrazil22 40,334 40,334 943 943 4,2224,222

Bulgaria Bulgaria 339,760 339,760 6,671 6,671 21,87821,878

Canada Canada 1,086,3431,086,34377

42,04242,04277 53,14553,145

ChinaChina33 17,250,5217,250,521 1

1,324,516 1,324,516 1,762,0061,762,006

Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia — — 6,6836,68344 8,0178,017

Denmark Denmark — — 4,339 4,339 ——

Finland Finland 500,000 500,000 79,047 79,047 50,00050,000

France France — — 201,568 201,568 400,000400,000

Germany Germany 20,000,0020,000,000 0

3,250,0003,250,00044 7,250,0007,250,000

Greece Greece — — 17,024 17,024 47,29047,290

Hungary Hungary — — 147,435 147,435 89,31389,313

India India 2,393,891 2,393,891 32,121 32,121 64,35464,354

Italy Italy 3,100,000 3,100,000 149,496149,49644 66,71666,716

Japan Japan 9,700,000 9,700,000 1,270,000 1,270,000 140,000140,000

Netherlands Netherlands 280,000 280,000 6,500 6,500 2,8602,860

New Zealand New Zealand 194,000 194,000 11,62511,62544 17,00017,000

Norway Norway 75,000 75,000 2,000 2,000 ——

Poland Poland — — 664,000 664,000 530,000530,000

Romania Romania 650,000650,00055 350,000350,00066 ——

South Africa South Africa 410,056 410,056 2,473 2,473 ——

U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R. — — 6,115,0006,115,00044 14,012,0014,012,0000

United United Kingdom Kingdom

5,896,000 5,896,000 357,116357,11644 369,267369,267

United States United States 16,112,5616,112,566 6

291,557 291,557 670,846670,846

Yugoslavia Yugoslavia 3,741,000 3,741,000 305,000 305,000 425,000425,000

1. Civilians only.2. Army and navy

figures.3. Figures cover period

July 7, 1937 to Sept. 2, 1945, and concern only Chinese regular troops. They do not include casualties

suffered by guerrillas and local military

corps.4. Deaths from all

causes.5. Against Soviet Russia;

385,847 against Nazi Germany.

6. Against Soviet Russia; 169,822

against Nazi Germany.7. National Defense Ctr.,

CanadianForces Hq., Director of

History.

Massive Human Massive Human DislocationsDislocations

Massive Human Massive Human DislocationsDislocations

The U.S. & the The U.S. & the U.S.S.R. Emerged as U.S.S.R. Emerged as

the Two Superpowers the Two Superpowers of the 20of the 20cc

The U.S. & the The U.S. & the U.S.S.R. Emerged as U.S.S.R. Emerged as

the Two Superpowers the Two Superpowers of the 20of the 20cc

UNITED NATIONS

Post WWII international peace-keeping organization

Replaces the League of Nations April 1945, San Francisco 50 Nations U.S. is first to join Eleanor Roosevelt, 1st U.S.

Ambassador

ISRAELISRAEL UN created Israeli State out of BR

Palestine US recognized Israel in ’48 – it was

protested by oil producing Arab nations

POSTWAR ECONOMYPOSTWAR ECONOMY DEMOBILIZATION:DEMOBILIZATION: Forces cut to total of 1.5 million by 1947 (from Forces cut to total of 1.5 million by 1947 (from

WWII peak of 8 million)WWII peak of 8 million)– Did NOT bring depression to U.S.:Did NOT bring depression to U.S.:

» Pent up demand for consumer goodsPent up demand for consumer goods» Forced savings ($30 billion) during warForced savings ($30 billion) during war

– GI Bill of Rights – 1944GI Bill of Rights – 1944(Serviceman’s Readjustment Act)(Serviceman’s Readjustment Act)

» $13 billion in aid$13 billion in aid» EducationEducation» HousingHousing» Small business loansSmall business loans

POSTWAR ECONOMYPOSTWAR ECONOMY INFLATION -INFLATION - Rose rapidly –

demand for wage increases led to … STRIKES:

– 5,000 strikes of 4.6 million workers in 1946» ’46 – UAW strike against GM & Steelworkers against

U.S. Steel Truman suggests $.18/hr wage increase & allowed U.S. Steel to

raise prices to cover the increase Became basis of settlements in other industries

» UMW Strike – April 1946 John L. Lewis Truman ordered gov’t takeover of mines but then accepted

Union’s demands

» Truman avoids RR strike by seizing RRs & threatening to draft strikers into Army!

EARLY DOMESTIC POLICYEARLY DOMESTIC POLICY Employment Act of 1946Employment Act of 1946

– To maintain full employment; 3 member advisory To maintain full employment; 3 member advisory council to Pcouncil to P

Atomic Energy Commission, 1946Atomic Energy Commission, 1946– Civilian control over nuclear development; Civilian control over nuclear development; P has sole P has sole

authority over use of nuclear weaponsauthority over use of nuclear weapons Presidential Succession Act, 1947Presidential Succession Act, 1947

– Put Speaker & Pres. Pro Temp ahead of Sec. Of StatePut Speaker & Pres. Pro Temp ahead of Sec. Of State– Why?Why?

2222ndnd Amendment passed; ratified 1951 Amendment passed; ratified 1951 Department of Defense created, 1947Department of Defense created, 1947

– National Security Council to advise PNational Security Council to advise P– CIA createdCIA created for foreign fact-gatheringfor foreign fact-gathering

TAFT-HARTLEY ACT, 1947 Republicans are anti-labor unions

– seeking to stop strikes & curb union power

Made “closed shop” illegal ( where employers forced to hire only union workers)

Required anti-communist oath of union officials

No union $ could be used for political campaigns

Authorized P to seek court injunctions to prevent strikes

TRUMAN VETOED – Congress overrides

• Keep Germany weak• Keep Soviet borders

secure by keeping all land between Germany & Soviet Union under Soviet control

• Spread communism

• Economic growth is key to world peace

• Make Germany strong democratic nation

• Increase world trade• Spread democracy

American Goals After WWII:Soviet Goals After WWII

FOREIGN POLICY – THE COLD WARFOREIGN POLICY – THE COLD WAR

Failure of U.S.-Soviet Cooperation comes from the different goals of each side:

FOREIGN POLICY – THE COLD WARFOREIGN POLICY – THE COLD WAR Failure of U.S.-Soviet CooperationFailure of U.S.-Soviet Cooperation

– Tensions apparent at Yalta and PotsdamTensions apparent at Yalta and Potsdam– Soviet control over E. Europe, parts of China, Korea, Soviet control over E. Europe, parts of China, Korea,

by end of ’45by end of ’45– By ’46-47 – also control Poland, Hungary, Romania, By ’46-47 – also control Poland, Hungary, Romania,

BulgariaBulgaria– ““Long TelegramLong Telegram” 1947 (5,540 words), George Kennan ” 1947 (5,540 words), George Kennan

warns that Soviets have no intention of living warns that Soviets have no intention of living peacefully with U.S.-proposes peacefully with U.S.-proposes “containment”“containment”

Soviet Army kept strongSoviet Army kept strong– 5 million in 19475 million in 1947– Soviets understand U.S. nuclear arsenal (12 bombs) Soviets understand U.S. nuclear arsenal (12 bombs)

cannot destroy entire Soviet military machinecannot destroy entire Soviet military machine

IRON CURTAINIRON CURTAIN Phrase coined by Winston Churchill in

1946 speech in Fulton, MO An “iron curtain” has been spread across

Europe separating the democratic from the authoritarian communist states – “satellite nations”

CONTAINMENTCONTAINMENT Will be the Cold War foreign policy for decades Formulated by George Kennan

– “Sources of Soviet Conduct” – July 1947– Calls for “containing,” not eliminating communism

“Cold War” term used by Walter Lippman to describe icy rivalry & tension/push for dominance between U.S. & Soviets

THE TRUMAN DOCTRINETHE TRUMAN DOCTRINE Containment in action! (diplomatic,Containment in action! (diplomatic, economic, and military action)economic, and military action) Feb. ’47 Britain advises it can no longer afford aid to Feb. ’47 Britain advises it can no longer afford aid to

Greece in its efforts against communismGreece in its efforts against communism Truman asks Congress for $400 million in military & Truman asks Congress for $400 million in military &

economic aid to Greece & Turkeyeconomic aid to Greece & Turkey Truman DoctrineTruman Doctrine – U.S. must support free peoples – U.S. must support free peoples

who are resisting communist domination by outside who are resisting communist domination by outside pressure (diplomatic, economic, military)pressure (diplomatic, economic, military)

Gives official sanction to the Gives official sanction to the communism v. communism v. democracydemocracy approach to foreign relations; foreign approach to foreign relations; foreign policy begins to dominate domestic policypolicy begins to dominate domestic policy

Why is this an historic change in US foreign policy?Why is this an historic change in US foreign policy?

THEMARSHALLPLAN1948-1952

A “containment” success – over $13 billion. HOW is it containment?

“Hunger, poverty, desperation & chaos are the enemies of democracy.” Marshall

Passed in March ’48 after Soviet coup d’etat in Czechoslovakia in Feb. ‘48

Yalta’s Post WWII Division of Germany and Berlin

What were the conflicting beliefs of Soviets and U.S. on Germany?

Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) formed in 1948 by U.S., British, French

Soviet Response:Block surface access to Berlin

U.S., British & French combined their zones in Germany to form an independent nation: German Federal Republic (West Germany)

Soviets retaliated by closing off all traffic from West Germany to Berlin

Truman orders Berlin airlift to bring supplies to the 2 million people stranded in West Berlin

Airlift lasted for 12 months; over 200,000 flights

What types of supplies were brought in?

BERLIN AIRLIFT

The Soviets launched balloons into flight paths and ordered their pilots to fire into the air around Allied planes.

Once, a Soviet fighter collided with a British plane, killing 35. In total, there were 101 fatalities over the course of the Berlin airlift, including 39 Britons.

THE BERLIN AIRLIFTTHE BERLIN AIRLIFT12 months – 200,000 flights12 months – 200,000 flights

Supplies to 2 million stranded West BerlinersSupplies to 2 million stranded West Berliners

CONTAINMENT IN ASIA:CONTAINMENT IN ASIA:THE PHILIPPINESTHE PHILIPPINES

Granted independence by the U.S. in 1946Granted independence by the U.S. in 1946 In return, U.S. got use of naval bases thereIn return, U.S. got use of naval bases there But, by turn of the century, all U.S. troops But, by turn of the century, all U.S. troops

were to be removed.were to be removed.

Douglas MacArthur is Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in charge of the occupation of Japan from 1945-1947

Known as the “White Emperor” of Japan

Why an occupation policy for Japan?

JAPANJAPAN

Japan seen as key to defending Asia just as Germany was key Japan seen as key to defending Asia just as Germany was key to defending Europe against communismto defending Europe against communism

Japan’s military forces are Japan’s military forces are dismantled & empire lostdismantled & empire lost

War criminals are triedWar criminals are tried A new constitution is A new constitution is

written which provides for written which provides for representative gov’t & gives representative gov’t & gives women the right to votewomen the right to vote

Schools are reorganized to Schools are reorganized to teach democratic valuesteach democratic values

The Emperor remains, but The Emperor remains, but only as a figurehead.only as a figurehead.

Japan regained its Japan regained its independence in 1951independence in 1951

Quickly became the Quickly became the leading economy in Asialeading economy in Asia

Japanese OccupationJapanese OccupationUnder MacArthur:Under MacArthur:

Ongoing conflict in China Ongoing conflict in China between Communists, led by between Communists, led by Mao, and the Nationalists, led Mao, and the Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-shek since 20sby Chiang Kai-shek since 20s

Suspended in WWII to fight Suspended in WWII to fight JapanJapan

U.S. sends Marshall to help U.S. sends Marshall to help settle conflict and $20 billion settle conflict and $20 billion in aid between ’45 & ’48in aid between ’45 & ’48– $ lost due to poor planning and $ lost due to poor planning and

corruptioncorruption Communists successful by ’49Communists successful by ’49

– 500 million new communists500 million new communists U.S. refuses aid to Nationalists U.S. refuses aid to Nationalists

during Communist takeoverduring Communist takeover Nationalists forced off Nationalists forced off

mainland to Taiwanmainland to Taiwan U.N. recognizes only U.N. recognizes only

Nationalist China on TaiwanNationalist China on TaiwanChairmanMao Zedung

Chiang Kai-shek

ELECTIONELECTIONOF 1948OF 1948

Thomas Dewey, R

Henry Wallace,Progressive

Strom Thurmond,Dixiecrat

•Whistlestop Campaign•Farmers, laborers, blacks•Fair Deal

Democrats opposed to Truman’s pro-civil rights policies

TRUMAN’S FAIR DEALTRUMAN’S FAIR DEAL Expansion of Social Security benefits Proposed national health insurance Raised minimum wage from $.40 to $.70 CIVIL RIGHTS: Committee on Civil Rights, 1946Committee on Civil Rights, 1946

– Make lynching a federal crime; no poll taxesMake lynching a federal crime; no poll taxes– Ended segregation in the armed forcesEnded segregation in the armed forces– No discrimination in federal jobsNo discrimination in federal jobs

Unsuccessful with many efforts - defeated by a coalition Unsuccessful with many efforts - defeated by a coalition of Republicans & conservative Southern Dsof Republicans & conservative Southern Ds

1952 Steel Strike – Truman nationalized steel industry before the strike started! Supreme Ct. held that he lacked the authority to seize the steel mills.

TRUMAN’S LOYALTY PROGRAMTRUMAN’S LOYALTY PROGRAM Loyalty Review Board – 1947Loyalty Review Board – 1947

– ““Reviewed” over 3 million federal employeesReviewed” over 3 million federal employees

– Truman’s response to charges of being “soft on Truman’s response to charges of being “soft on communism”communism”

HUAC – 1938/1948HUAC – 1938/1948– Originally to rout out subversionOriginally to rout out subversion

– FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover uses it by ’48 to hold FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover uses it by ’48 to hold public hearings on communist subversivespublic hearings on communist subversives

– HUAC famous for attacks on WPA Arts Projects – particularly theatre

– First case – Hollywood film industryFirst case – Hollywood film industry» ““Hollywood Ten” – claim 5Hollywood Ten” – claim 5thth & won’t testify & won’t testify

THE RED SCARE

Began in 1950 when Soviet government worker Began in 1950 when Soviet government worker defecteddefected and revealed extent of Soviet spies and revealed extent of Soviet spies infiltrating Americainfiltrating America

Americans began to fear communist Americans began to fear communist subversionsubversion– Effort to secretly weaken and overthrow a Effort to secretly weaken and overthrow a

country/societycountry/society

ALGER HISSALGER HISS In HUAC hearing, Whittaker In HUAC hearing, Whittaker

Chambers, former Communist, Chambers, former Communist, accuses Hiss, a former State Dept. accuses Hiss, a former State Dept. official under FDR, of being a spyofficial under FDR, of being a spy

Chambers produces microfilm he Chambers produces microfilm he claims Hiss hid in a pumpkin outside claims Hiss hid in a pumpkin outside his househis house

Too late to bring an espionage caseToo late to bring an espionage case But, Hiss convicted of But, Hiss convicted of perjury (lying perjury (lying

under oath)under oath) Sen. Sen. Richard Nixon Richard Nixon for prosecutionfor prosecution Case feeds fears of communist Case feeds fears of communist

underground organization in U.S.underground organization in U.S.

THE ROSENBERGSTHE ROSENBERGSConvicted 1951; Executed 1953Convicted 1951; Executed 1953

Only Americans ever executed in peacetime for espionageOnly Americans ever executed in peacetime for espionage

Rosenbergs lived in New YorkRosenbergs lived in New York Scientists; members of Communist party; Scientists; members of Communist party;

accused of heading up a Soviet spy ringaccused of heading up a Soviet spy ring PROJECT VENONAPROJECT VENONA

– 1946 – not revealed until 19951946 – not revealed until 1995– Cracked Soviet spy code & confirmed Cracked Soviet spy code & confirmed

extensive Soviet spying; massive spy huntextensive Soviet spying; massive spy hunt– Intercepted messages not made public so as Intercepted messages not made public so as

not to alert Sovietsnot to alert Soviets– Strong evidence of guilt of RosenbergsStrong evidence of guilt of Rosenbergs

JOSEPH R. MCCARTHYJOSEPH R. MCCARTHY WI Senator; drinking problem; witch WI Senator; drinking problem; witch

hunts are reelection campaign strategyhunts are reelection campaign strategy Claims in 1950 to have list of 205 Claims in 1950 to have list of 205

communists in State Dept. – never any communists in State Dept. – never any real evidence producedreal evidence produced

So accusations get more sensational – So accusations get more sensational – diplomats (George Marshall), scholars, diplomats (George Marshall), scholars, Hollywood….Hollywood….

Why would he gain support?Why would he gain support? McCarran Internal Security Act – ’50McCarran Internal Security Act – ’50

– Passed over Truman’s vetoPassed over Truman’s veto– Communist orgs must register w/Att. Gen.Communist orgs must register w/Att. Gen.– Members may not work in defense or travel Members may not work in defense or travel

abroad - no passportsabroad - no passports

Changes in America as a result of The Red Scare:

Fear of communism and nuclear war dominated life Soviets had A-bomb by 1949; H-bomb by ’53 & so

Americans began preparing for a Soviet attack– Bomb shelters & fallout shelters– Duck and cover drills

1950s are a time of major contrast:– Prosperity, materialism, good times on the on the one

hand– Fear of communism, nuclear war & destruction on the

other hand

NATONATO Warsaw PactWarsaw Pact Western powers: G.B., Western powers: G.B.,

France, U.S., etc.France, U.S., etc. Capitalist/DemocraticCapitalist/Democratic Alliance for Alliance for collective collective

securitysecurity No secrets between No secrets between

membersmembers Goal: contain communismGoal: contain communism Commander: EisenhowerCommander: Eisenhower– Dramatic foreign policy Dramatic foreign policy

departure for U.S.departure for U.S.

Communist Communist nations: USSR, nations: USSR, Poland, Czech, Poland, Czech, “areas”, & other “areas”, & other satellite nationssatellite nations

Alliance for Alliance for collective security collective security against NATOagainst NATO

Both sides have Both sides have nuclear nuclear weapons!!!!weapons!!!!

– Soviet atomic bomb – 1949 – Soviet atomic bomb – 1949 – Truman calls for building of Truman calls for building of super hydrogen bomb Jan. 1950super hydrogen bomb Jan. 1950

– U.S. Hydrogen bomb – 1952; U.S. Hydrogen bomb – 1952; Soviets by 1953Soviets by 1953

– NSC-68:NSC-68: Acheson; US needs Acheson; US needs conventional military buildup conventional military buildup also – spending increases 350%also – spending increases 350%

» Rationale: Soviets would not be able to keep up with US spending; so it would be economic chaos for Soviets

THE NUCLEAR ARMS THE NUCLEAR ARMS RACE!RACE!

Assassination Assassination AttemptAttempt

1950 by several Puerto Rican Nationalists who believed it would bring attention 1950 by several Puerto Rican Nationalists who believed it would bring attention to their cause to their cause

2 of the 3 assassins killed in attempt; last assassin got to the steps of the before 2 of the 3 assassins killed in attempt; last assassin got to the steps of the before being shot.being shot.

Sentenced to death; one week before execution in ’52, Truman commuted the Sentenced to death; one week before execution in ’52, Truman commuted the sentence to life imprisonmentsentence to life imprisonment

Carter let him out in Sept. 1979 – he went home to Puerto Rico and died there in Carter let him out in Sept. 1979 – he went home to Puerto Rico and died there in ’94 at age of 80’94 at age of 80

Would-be presidential assassin Oscar Collazo lies wounded in front of Blair House, 1950

THE KOREAN WAR

Collaboration with Cicero, 2008

When the Cold War turns HOT ….

UNITED NATIONS

PARTICIPANTS IN THE KOREAN WAR

NORTH KOREA

Rep.of KoreaAustralia

Belgium

Canada

Colombia

Ethiopia

France

Greece

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand

Philippines

South Africa

Thailand

Turkey

U. Kingdom

United States

Japan

Democratic

People’s

Republic of

Korea

China

Soviet Union

• Korea was under Japanese control from 1910-1945

• Korea had been promised independence after WWII but, instead, was divided at the 38th parallel with the Soviets controlling the North & the U.S. controlling the South

• UN recognizes only S Korea in ’48

NORTH

SOUTH

THE DIVISION OF KOREALEADERS

SOUTH KOREA NORTH KOREA

Kim-Il-SungLeads N. Korea 1948-1994

Dr. Syngman RheeAn American-educated Korean exile who returned to become the first president of SK in 1948. He was a

fierce opponent of communism but unpopular due to his autocratic nature and actions.

AMERICAN AND SOVIET WITHDRAWAL

• In 1949, the U. S. and the Soviet Union had withdrawn the majority of their troops from Korea.

• With the U.S. & U.S.S.R. gone, Rhee and Sung worked hard on trying to reunite the Korean Peninsula

• Jan. ’50 Acheson refers to Korea as “outside the defense perimeter”

The Flag of North Korea

The Flag of South Korea

THE LOOMING WAR

• During 1949 and the early months of 1950, both North and South Korea were attacking each other.

• U.S. Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that it should be the responsibility of the United Nations to defend South Korea, not the United States.

United States Secretary of State

Dean Acheson

• Spark: June 1950 - N. Korea invades S. Korea; U.N. calls all members to aid S. Korea

• Gen. Douglas MacArthur appointed as Commander of the U.N. troops

• Truman had gone to U.N. for approval of the declaration of war rather than U.S. going in alone BUT… even before war declared, Truman sent in troops.

• Fighting in desegregated troops for the first time.

PUSAN: NK forces soon pushed the SK forces all the way south to Pusan

• INCHON: Sept. 1950, MacArthur makes surprise attack behind N. Korean lines at Inchon

• YALU RIVER: MacArthur pushed the North back to Chinese border at Yalu River

• Chinese communists aid NK– 300,000 – “human waves”– guns melted due to heavy

use

• U.N. troops again pushed S

• April 1951, Gen. MacArthur is fired by President Truman

• WHY?

• MacArthur publicly criticized Truman’s leadership in limiting the war to just Korea – he wanted to start a bigger war with China.

• MacArthur also pushed for the use of nuclear weapons against China - “There is no substitute for victory!”

• Truman declared MacArthur guilty of insubordination and fired MacArthur on April 11, 1951, a move that angered much of the American public.

• STALEMATE, 1951-53: Fighting continues but peace negotiations ongoing

• Major issue in the stalemate is the POW exchange

• Presidential Election of 1952 – Gen. Eisenhower promises to end the war with Korea. Why did Americans believe he could?

• What impact did Stalin’s death in ‘53 have?

• Armistice reached in July, 1953– (Note: Ike did threaten

use of nuclear weapons)

• Dividing line between N& S is set at almost exact same place as they started – 38th parallel

ARMISTICE AGREEMENT

EFFECTS OF THE KOREAN WAR:

• U.S. begins major military buildup; permanent protection of SK• DMZ remains at 38th parallel• Message to U.S.S.R./China that U.S. will fight to halt communism• Civilian control of U.S. military reaffirmed; sets precedent of war conducted by the P rather than Congress• U.S. gets more involved in Asia with military aid (Vietnam!)• Proxy War – U.S. vs. U.S.S.R.

Korean Situation Today• Still divided

• NK extremely poor; SK economically prospering

• N. Korea continues to be a problem:

– Human Rights, aggression, nuclear weapons

– Threat of War real?

– U.N. sanctions, hard line of allies against N. Korea

– Kim Jung Ill is dead but son is in power now, just a new version, trying to prove himself