Why did the Korean war last so long?

Korean proverb

‘When whales collide, the shrimp suffer’

Who is the shrimp?

Key things before you look at the course of the war

1. How and why did the war become internationalised?

2. What was the significance of the US entry into the war?

3. Was the war a ‘UN’ or ‘US’ War?

How and why did the war become internationalised?

• 25th June 1950 North Korea attacks South• Attack debated by UN in absence of USSR and resolution passed to ask North

Korea to withdraw• 27th June Security Council resolution declaring that UN should oppose North Korea• USA had 500 advisors in KMAG who retreated rapidly• 27th June Truman responds with executive order authorising US naval forces to

attack and air forces• ‘Communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent

nations and will now use armed invasion and war’ (Truman)• Congress supportive and vote to extend the draft• Truman claims it is a ‘Police Action• 30th June Truman sends in US troops in face of South Korean collapse• Orders US 7th Fleet to Tawain straits• UN asks Truman to appoint UNC commander – MacArthur – difference in policy

from Truman

What was the significance of the US entry into the war?

• USA taking a significant risk – risk of Third World War if China/ USSR get involved

• Trumans actions were significantly expanding US foreign policy in Asia

• 7th fleet to Taiwan causing resurgence of China-US conflict and tension

• Chinese fears confirmed when MacArthur carried out high profile visit to Chiang-Shek in Taiwan

• Not clear what US war aims were?...- aggression against China too?• A domestic risk for Truman – when the war went badly Truman

accused of not getting a congressional election for war – his opponents called the war ‘Truman’s War’

Was the war a ‘UN’ or ‘US’ War?

• Truman: ‘ A police Action• 15 other nations involved• But US and South Korea provided 90% of the fighting

men• MacArthur never communicated directly with the UN• Dispatch of 7th fleet to Taiwan not a UN measure• US did what it wanted to do• Not surprising about lack of communication with so

many different languages/ nationalities• ‘Friendly Fire’ example

• EXPLAIN why the North Korean forces were able to conquer so much of the south

• EXPLAIN why they were prevented from capturing Pusan by US forces

• EXPLAIN the importance of the Inchon landing • EXPLAIN the US decision to move north of the 38th parallel• EXPLAIN the reasons for Chinese intervention in the Korean

war and the risks of doing so• EXPLAIN why the Chinese forces were able to capture

Seoul• EXPLAIN why Truman sacked MacArthur and why this

sacking was so risky for Truman• EXPLAIN how the war eventually ended

Task: use pages 24-37 to complete notes which explain the points below. Either make a mind map or a grid. (Or chapter 2 green and grey book) . Think of it like a timeline!

Reflection: Key questions

• Why did it finally come to an end?• Why did the war last so long?• Why did peace have to be declared?