Korean War 1950 1953 Communism Continues to Spread

Korean War 1950 -1953 Communism Continues to Spread

Essential Question Did the war in Korea represent a triumph or a failure of American foreign policy?

Korea Post WWII Occupied by Japan during WWII Hoped to restore nation after Japanese withdrew 1945: Allies divided Korea into 2 zones North= Soviet South= American Divided by the 38 th Parallel (latitude line)

Zones developed into communist North Korea vs. Pro. American South Korea.

Korean War Begins June 1950 war begins when N. Korea troops invade S. Korea with attempt to unite into one communist nation Soviet Union was boycotting UN Security Council UN able to intervene b/c now could reach a consensus

War Continues… U. S. gets involved Truman chooses General Mac. Arthur to lead UN forces in Korea Mac. Arthur Credentials: WWI and WWII hero Virtual dictator in post-war Japan established a democracy; was less successful in Korea Very anti-communist

Strategies of the War North Korean Strategy: Soviet aid N. Korea with tanks and air power North Korea swept through South (only Pusan left unconquered) Took a few short weeks

Strategies Continued Mc. Arthur’s strategy to push back the communists: Defend Pusan Cut supply lines from behind N. Koreans offense Surround N. K. by landing troops behind Inchon (Sept. 1950)

Who was successful, North Korea of UN troops in South Korea?

Strategies Continued… Mc. Arthur’s strategy worked!! (…duh… GO AMERICA!!) N. K. were surrounded by UN troops and supplies were cut off N. K. fled north UN troops continued to pursue northward S. Korean leaders began to talk of reuniting Korea under S. K. control

Strategies Continued… Chinese communists alarmed by S. K. uniting plan China warned UN troops not to advance Mc. Arthur ignored this Nov. 1950 he launched “Home by Christmas” campaign Plan: Push enemy across N. Korean/China border at Yalu river to end war

End of the War Mc. Arthur’s Reign Unravels China and N. Koreans push UN troops back to S. Korea Mc. Arthur wants a 2 nd war front with anticommunist forces of China who fled to Taiwan Truman feared widespread war Mc. Arthur fired April 1951 for insubordination

End of the War Continued… War remained limited 1953= Truce signed Korea still divided at the 38 th parallel

Results of the American War 55, 000 American soldiers killed 103, 000 American soldiers wounded Americans frustrated by first loss Was the war necessary if there would be such limited results? Was the government truly trying to stop communism form spreading or just flexing its muscles?

Essential Question Did the war in Korea represent a triumph or a failure of American foreign policy?