korean war 1950 - 1953. background information world war ii ended in august 1945 it wasn’t long...
Post on 29-Dec-2015
212 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
KOREAN WAR
1950 - 1953
Background Information
World War II ended in August 1945
It wasn’t long before the Soviets invaded North Korea; the US supported South Korea
Korea was divided at the 38th Parallel into two governments
The Two Governments
A Communist Korea
Led by Kim Il Sung
A Republic Government
Led by Syngman Rhee
North Korea South Korea
The Allies Views on Communism
US President Harry Truman created the Truman Doctrine
Pledged support to any country in defense of Communism
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke out against Communism
His “Iron Curtain” speech stressed the concern of Soviet control in Eastern Europe
Armed Conflict
Begins with the invasion of South Korea by the North on June 25, 1950
Immediately, the UN condemns North Korea
Two days later, the US pledges air and naval support
For four months, the UN troops made their best efforts to defend South Korea from the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA)
A Shift to Offense
Beginning in September 1950, US and Republic of Korea (ROK) troops begin their goal of recapturing Seoul, the capital of South Korea
In October, Communist Chinese Forces join the NKPA
Fighting continues into 1951 General MacArthur pushes
Truman to use atomic weapons
Ending the War in Korea
Fighting continued through 1952 despite occasional talks of peace
On July 27, 1952: the armistice is signed at 10:00; both sides must retreat to their side of the cease-fire line within two days
The Cost of Korea
Financially, the war cost the US $67 billion Almost 34,000 American lives were lost in
battle, over 20,000 in accidental deaths Over 103,000 were wounded 8,000 were listed as MIAs 3,700 were POWs
North and South Korea have never agreed to a peace, so the DMZ (demilitarized zone) continues to be a patrolled area
top related