The Korean War 1950 1953 The background v

The Korean War 1950 -1953

The background… v Korea had been under Japanese control during WWII v After war, allies (US) and the Soviets agreed to divide Korea along the 38 th parallel v Most Koreans wanted unification v The Soviets occupied the North, and the US occupied the South v North Korea under Communist leader Kim Il-Sung wanted to expand its borders and communism into the south v North Korea with support from the USSR and People’s Republic of China invaded South

Two factors of war Offensive Defensive �North Korea invaded, �South Korea was provoking the war. �China and USSR wanted to expand communism into South Korea defending itself against a North Korean attack. �The US policy of containment had them helping South Korea (defending from spread of communism)

Fighting the war v United Nations attempted to remove North Koreans by force v UN Force was 90% US military. v fought under UN commander American General Douglas Mac. Arthur v Within a month North Koreans were pushed back to the 38 th parallel.

US gets GREEDY v. US redefined war aims and rather than containing North Korea, decided to liberate North Korea from communist rule and reunite Korea under South Korean leadership (democratic). v. China became concerned for its own security and sent 200, 000 Chinese soldiers to aid the North Korean Army. v. November 27, 1950, a force of 200, 000 Chinese joined 150, 000 North Koreans & sent the UN troops into a rapid retreat

Role played by outside forces v By the end of 1950 North & their allies had retaken all land up to the 38 th parallel resulting in a stalemate v The UN forces had technological superiority , but Chinese forces were larger in number v Mac. Arthur suggested the use of nuclear weapons against the Chinese Truman against this scared Stalin would retaliate by using it’s own nuclear weapons

End of the Korean War v Stalin did not want to accept a Communist defeat in Korea v New US president was Dwight Eisenhower election was partly based on withdrawal from Korea v Therefore, the 2 main powers did not see Korea as vital to their interest

End of the Korean War v. The war ended in a ceasefire; there was no victory v. Ended on July 27 th, 1953 with a truce; armistice signed

The Korean Armistice Agreement: 1. Suspended open hostilities 2. Withdrew military forces and equipment from a 4000 meter wide zone (created a buffer between the two zones) 3. Prevented both sides from entering the air, ground, or seas on opposing sides 4. Released POWs

Division between North Korea and South Korea.

Ceasefire ≠ Peace v The Korean Armistice Agreement was NOT a peace treaty but intended as a temporary measure. v North Korea and South Korea are still technically at war. v Peace settlement never came. v Tensions between the two nations are still high. v Two nations still remain divided, at the exact same border when the war broke out. v Border between North Korea and South Korea is the most heavily militarised border in the world.