Chapter 16Section 2

The Korean War

Objectives

1. Explain how Mao Zedong and the communists gained power in China.

2. Describe the causes and progress of the war in Korea.

3. Identify the long term effects of the Korea War.

The Korean War

Europe first focus of Cold War

Early 1950s US becomes involved in Korean War

East Asia made prime battleground in the long, hard, Cold War struggle.

Communists Gain Control of ChinaSince Russian Revolution in 1917:1. Soviets hoped to spread

communism to every corner of world.

2. Training foreigners in Marxist theory and evolutionary strategy

3. Communists confident communism would reach worldwide influence

4. Events in China in 1949 seemed to justify the confidence.

Civil War Divides China

Jiang Jieshi (Chaing Kai-shek)

Nationalist Leader in ChinaFighting a civil war against communists

Mao Zedong

Communist leader

Temporarily joined forces in uneasy alliance to fight JapanResumed civil war with a vengeance after war ended

Civil War Divides ChinaSoviets supported Mao

US sent several billion in aid to Jiang-American leaders feared Jiang’s defeat would create a communist superpower spanning most of Asia

Jiang’s regime proved unequal to the task-Nationalist’s generals reluctant to fight-while masses of Chinese faced starvation, corrupt officials diverted US aid into their own pockets

Mao won increasing support by promising to feed the people

Communists Win in China1948, Mao’s forces dominate the war

Jiang appealed to US for military intervention-US government would not sent troops to support the corrupt Jiang

1949, Jiang fled to an off shore island of Taiwan

Mao takes control of world’s most populous country renaming it “People’s Republic of China”

Communists Win in ChinaMao’s victory immense shock to Americans-communists were a sworn enemy of US-communists now controlled about one fourth world’s landmass and one third of world population

Americans asked “Who lost China?”-many blamed Truman administration-said failed to give enough support to Jiang.

Communists Win in China

Secretary of State Dean Acheson argued:

“The unfortunate but inescapable fact is that the ominous result of the civil war in China was beyond the control of the government of the United States. Nothing that this country did or could have done within the reasonable limits of its capabilities could have changed the results”

Checkpoint Question

Why were the communists able to win the Chinese Civil War?

Americans Fight in KoreaFocus of attention turns toward Korea-separated from north-east China by Yalu River-once controlled by Japan-divided into two independent countries by US and Soviet Union at end of WWII-dividing line set at 38th parallel of latitude

In North Korea, Soviets installed communist government and equipped its armed forces.

US provided smaller amts. Of aid to noncommunist South Korea

North Korea Invades South KoreaAmerican occupation troops stay in South Korea until 1949-departure coincided with communist victory in China

Some after, North Korea begins major military buildup-June 25, 1950, North Korean forces attack across 38th parallel-90,000 North Korean troops armed with powerful tanks and other Soviet weapons-within days northerners overtook South Korea’s capital-Seoul-then set out after South Korean army

US Forces Defend South KoreaTruman not willing to use a previous unsuccessful policy of appeasement, determined not to repeat history, announced US would aid South Korea

UN Security Council unanimously voted to follow US lead-recommended “Members of UN furnish such assistance to Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area”

US Forces Defend South Korea

Soviets would have used “veto” power to block resolution but boycotting Security Council sessions because UN had refused to seat Mao’s People’s Republic of China

US Forces Defend South KoreaDid not ask Congress for formal declaration of war-required by the Constitution

Supported by UN resolution-ordered American troops stationed in Japan to move to South Korea-soldiers mainly occupation troop-not trained for forced marches in monsoon rains or heavy combat in rice paddies-did not have military equipment needed to stop an invasion

US Forces Defend South KoreaShort time later, US forces join South Korean allies retreating to southeast corner of peninsula near Pusan.

Allies hold fast

Fresh supplies and troops arrive from Japan

Soldiers from other UN countries join America and South Korean forces.

MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans

September 1950, UN forces ready to counterattack

General Douglas MacArthur, WWII hero, had bold plan to rid South Korea of invaders

Suspected rapid advance of North Koreans left them with limited supply line

Decided to strike at weakness, launching surprise attack on port city of Inchon (well behind enemy lines)

MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans

Inchon poor landing site (swift currents, treacherous tides); enemy would not expect attack there.

MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans

MacArthur’s gamble paid off

September 15, 1950, US Marines landed at Inchon-launched attack into rear guard of North Koreans-Communist forces began fleeing for North Korean border

By October, 1950 North Koreans driven north of 38th parallel

MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans

With North Korean retreat, US had to decide what to do next1. Should UN mandate be declared

accomplished and war ended?2. Should forces be sent across 38th

parallel to punish Communists for invasion?

MacArthur Drives Back the North Koreans

Truman concerned about China’s reaction if US carried war into North Korea

Chinese leaders had publicly warned US not to advance near its borders

MacArthur assured Truman China would not intervene-based on this advice, US push a resolution through UN-called for “unified, independent, and democratic” Korea

China Forces Stalemate

Confident MacArthur attacked north of 38th parallel-mountainous terrain and freezing temps-by Thanksgiving reach Chinese border at Yalu River

On November 25, 1950, 300,000+ Chinese soldiers attack South Korean and US positions

Badly outnumbered, UN troops retreat

China Forces StalemateUS confronted with major land war in Asia-to win must commit number of troops and even atomic weapons-Truman ruled both out-MacArthur enraged”; distrusted Truman’s “limited war” with specific goals; favored total victory-MacArthur bypasses Truman; sends letter to House of Representatives attacking Truman’s policies

China Forces Stalemate

Letter becomes public, Truman fires MacArthur for insubordination

Huge outcry in US, MacArthur returns home a national hero

Checkpoint Question

How did President Truman react to the North Korean invasion of South Korea?

The Korean War Has Lasting Effects

By spring 1951, Allied forces regrouped and stabilized position near 38th parallel

Stalemate lasted until 1953-fought small, bloody battles with limited results-diplomates tried to devise an acceptable peace agreement

The War Becomes a Political IssueStalemate key issue in 1952 election

Ike promised if elected would end war-After election, visited Korea-Spoke to troops-Studied enemy fortifications-Convinced only strong action would break stalemate-When peace talks failed; hinted might intro nuclear weapons

The warning, plus death of Stalin, convinced communists to settle conflict.

July 27, 1953, two sides sign cease-fire

Still in effect today!

Examining the Lessons of the Korean War

There was no victory.

Long-term Results:1. Truman committed US troops without congressional

declaration of war -sets a precedent that future presidents would follow2. Korean War led to increased military spending

-by 1960, military spending accounted for nearly half of federal budget-more than a million US soldiers were stationed around the world

3. A new alliance underscored US interest in Asia-like NATO, the SOUTHEAST ASIA TREATY ORGANIZATION (SEATO) became a defensive alliance to prevent spread of communism-members Pakistan, Thailand, Phillippines, Australia, New Zealand, France. Britain, and the US

Checkpoint Question

What were the important results of US participation in the Korea War?