The Korean War Flashcards
Who was Korea ruled by until 1945?
Japan
Who freed Korea after WWII?
North Korea was freed by the USSR. North Korea became communist.
South Korea was freed by the USA. They weren’t exactly democratic, but they were anti-communist enough to gain the support of the Americans.
When did war break out between the two countries?
In 1950. North Korea very quickly took over most of South Korea.
What was the response of the Americans?
- Truman was desperate for containment
- He immediately sent advisers, supplies and warships
- He tried to get the UN to support him in order to “look good”
What was UN resolution 84?
- Truman put pressure on the security council
- America was one of the biggest contributors to their budget, so they had some influence
- Truman promoted the fight against NK as UN sponsored
- 18 states provided army
- Their general was Douglas MacArthur
Describe the development of the war
September 1950:
- Reached in Inchon
- NK was driven back past the 38th parallel in weeks
October 1950:
- China sent a threat telling them to stop
- UN ignored and kept going
November 1950:
- MacArthur underestimated the Chinese who sent 200,000 troops with modern equipment
- They pushed back the UN
- Unfamiliar terrain for Americans
April 1951:
- MacArthur wanted to continue the war
- Truman told him to stand down
MacArthur ignored and threatened China: got sacked
Peace talks started in 1951. The war went on for 2 more years.
Eisenhower became president in 1952. In 1953 Stalin died and armistice was signed.
Border was pretty much the same as before.
What were the causalities of the Korean War?
- 300 000 American
soldiers - 4 500 other UN soldiers
- 70 000 Korean soldiers
- 500 000 South Korean civilians
- 780 000 North Korean soldiers and civilians
What were the successes of the Korean War?
- Showed that USA had the will to contain communism
- South Korea remained not communist
What were the failures of the Korean War
- North Korea remained communist
- Some thought Truman was weak
- Many causalities
