The Korean War

“The wrong war in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong enemy.”

Omar Bradley Chairman of the Joint

Chiefs

Why did Truman fight?

1. North Korea had launched a well planned, all-out attack across the 38th parallel. Soviet Union and China were behind the invasion.

2. The Truman Doctrine had committed the U.S. to a policy of containment. “Stop aggression and subjugation of the weak”.

3. Violation of UN resolutions to keep the peace.

4. Meet the threat early on.

5. He had been criticized for being soft on communism.

Communist North Korea1. Led by Kim Il Sung2. (Kim Jong Il: son)

3. (Kim Jong-Un: grandson)

4. Soviet trained and equipped

5. Backed by Communist China

Democratic South Korea

1. ROK led by Syngman Rhee

2. Backed by the United Nation’s forces, comprised of troops from 22 nations.

3. United States troops comprised 90%4. Douglas MacArthur:

Supreme Allied Commander

82 (1950). Resolution of 25 June 1950

Calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities;

Calls upon the authorities in North Korea to withdraw forthwith their armed forces to the 38th parallel;

To observe the withdrawal of North Korean forces to the 38th parallel;

Calls upon all Member States to render every assistance to the United Nations in the execution of this resolution and to refrain from giving assistance to the North Korean authorities.

The Forgotten War

“There will be no Dunkirk!” MacArthur

Police Action Photos

Effects of the Police Action in Korea

1. A turning point in international policy.

2. The first military expression of the containment policy.

3. The first use of U.N. forces.

4. New policies and practices of the U.S. military. (ex. Police Action, integration)

5. Fear of nuclear war

I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole: Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup [1951]

I might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundI might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know when I come out There won't be no wars around

Well, I got my quiet canary, my class card, tooMy baby's wondering Lord now what am I to doMight dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know when I come out There won't be no wars around

I'm might-a leave my baby all pulled up and cryingYou know that's the reason why I 'm really gonna change my mindDig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know when I come out There won't be no wars around

Well, they take me to the river front, cross the deep blue seaMy baby begin to wonder what in the world become of meDig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know when I come out There won't be no wars around

Well, I ain't got no one to love me, all I got is goneMy baby leavin' me and I'm leavin' up my homeI might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know when I come up There won't be no wars around

Weapon Of Prayer: The Louvin Brothers [1951]

In that land across the sea, there’s a job for you and meThough our presence there may not be foundWe must stay each night and day on the battle line and prayWe must never lay our weapons down

Refrain:

We don’t have to be a soldier in a uniformTo be of service over thereWhile the boys so bravely stand with the weapons made by handLet us trust and use the weapon of prayer

Many thousand miles away someone shed their blood todayWith a heart so true and brave they’ve goneTo a war that’s yours and mine, let us join the battle lineWith a weapon that will save our home

Refrain

When the planes and tanks and guns have done all that they can doAnd the mighty bombs have rained and fellStill the helpful Hand above holds a weapon made of loveAnd against Him none on Earth prevail