5. MacArthur's Dismissal

Question 1

What were the outcomes of Chosin?

Or..the problems for Truman because of his retreat?
4 outcomes

Answer 1

1. Poll ratings falling and Dem party had losses in 1950 elections
2. Washington = panicked
   JCS feared Soviet attack in Europe
   15th Dec 1950= national emergency
3. Truman told Press he had ‘always’ considered atomic weapons on Korea
4. General MacA = publically critical of policies

Question 2

Why was MacA dismissed?

After chosin, what four things did MacA do to be dismissed?

Answer 2

1. Blamed everitt but himself for the retreat
2. Wanted to use atomic bombs on NK and China
3. Demanded new troops when none were available
4. Wanted to use Jiang Jeshi’s forces to invade China= to escalate

Question 3

When was MacA dismissed?

Answer 3

20th April 1951

Question 4

Why was MacA’s opposition Ridgway brilliant?

5 points

Answer 4

…praise from WW2

…1951: got troops moving forward again

…lots of equipment

…kept officers ‘on their toes’ e.g he sacked one who suggested 2nd retreat

…liked by troops
..had first aid kits, extra gloves, stationary
..nicknamed ‘iron tits’…hand grenade on his chest

Question 5

Why was MacA not so good?

4 points

Answer 5

…spent most of war away in Japan

…too powerful to oppose…prestige

…didn’t relieve ineffective officers in Korea

…overconfident that Chinese wouldn’t intervene with Korea

Question 6

Why was MacA NOT dismissed because of military reasons?

Lil answer…

Answer 6

Because his military actions were not drastic failures meaning there was not a strong enough military reason to dismiss him.

Question 7

How can the Political reasons be separated into two categories? What do they both mean?

Answer 7

Domestic…MacA had committed acts of insubordination and so had refused Truman’s position as Commander in Chief

International…MacA wanted to expand the war when Truman wanted a more limited one. Made more dangerous by MacA’s popularity.

Question 8

Domestic reasons for MacA’s dismissal?…

4

Answer 8

1. August 1950…told journalists that they should escalate in Korea
2. Truman wanted to stay quiet about policy statements but MacA was vocal
3. MacA issues an unauthorised statement that US = help Taiwan
4. Spring 1950…sent letter to Republican, Joseph Martin, to be read in Congress. “If we lose to Communism in Asia, the European fall will follow”…against Truman’s Containment Policy.

Question 9

International political reasons for MacA’s dismissal?

3

Answer 9

1. Wanted to expand war into China and that US would help Taiwan
2. Upset Canada…days of US and Can. peace = over
3. Communiqué…publically insulted China

Question 10

What happened to Truman’s poll ratings?

Answer 10

Fell

Question 11

How do we know that MacA was popular?

Gimme some evidence

Answer 11

…2 million Japanese to say goodbye

…half million supporter @ San Fran

…gave speech on last day….
…Truman got 69% vote= bad
…27,000 letters and telegrams