The Korean War The Forgotten War Civil War

The Korean War: The Forgotten War

Civil War in China • Mao Zedong – Chairman of the Communist Party • Won the support of peasants by giving them reduced rent on occupied lands

Civil War in China • Chaing Kai-Shek = head of the Nationalist Party • Supported by the U. S. • Loss of support by peasants

Koreans Go to War • 38 th Parallel was the artificial boundary – Soviet Korea in the North – U. S. (NATO) Korea in the South • June 25, 1950 – North invades the South

38 th Parallel

U. S. Fights in Korea • N. Korea pushed S. Korea south as far as Pusan • Mac. Arthur’s miracle Counterattack – Landing at Inchon – Up through Pusan

Big Question • Should Mac. Arthur cross the 38 th parallel? • October 7, U. N. recommends that Mac. cross the 38 th. • Warning by China – China would not let U. S. come close to the Yalu River

Chinese Fight Back • Mac pushed all the way to the Yalu River • 300, 000 Chinese cross the river – U. S. outnumbered 10 to 1 • Mac pushed 100 miles south of the 38 th

Mac Recommends Attacking China • Blockade the Chinese coast and use A-Bombs • Met w/Truman for the first time at Wake Island. – Rejected by Truman – Soviet Union / China = Mutual Assistance Pact

Mac v. Truman • Mac went over Truman’s head • Wrote letters to magazines, newspapers, Reb. Leaders • Dismissed on April 11, 1951

Stalemate • 38 th parallel was the border between North and South Korea – Communist north / dem. south. • Positive: Communism contained in the north • Negative: Korea still two countries.