Korean War

Cold War Front of the Korean Peninsula

By: Eugene Jang and Jason Lee
Social Studies D block

The Korean War was a economic

(Communism vs democracy) conflict
between North Korea and South Korea.
With the end of World War II the
tension between U.S. capitalism and
Soviet communism deepened and split a
rift between the countries of the
world. The forefront of this rift was on
the 38th parallel in the Korean
peninsula. On opposing sides of the rift
was the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea supported by the Chinese, and
Korea supported by the U.S. On June 25, 1950 war finally erupted when the armies
of North Korea made the initial offensive and occupied Seoul, driving the American
lead U.S. forces all the way to Pusan.

In September of that same year, a U.N.

counter-offensive met with success when
U.N. forces recaptured Seoul after the battle
of Inchon, and pushed further north to take
Pyongyang, the Capitol of North Korea. The
following month, the Chinese Army swarmed
into the Korean Peninsula to support the
North Korean forces, overwhelming the UN
forces with sheer numbers. By January 1951,
Seoul was in the hands of North Korea once
again. After the UN forces went on the
offensive again in March and reclaimed Seoul for the second time, the battle came
to a standstill along the 38th parallel. The end to the drawn out series of advances
and retreats finally came 3 years after the start of the war, when a cease-fire was
reached in July of 1953.
 What is the Korean War?

The korean war is when North Korea invaded South Korea. This happened
south of the 38th parallel. The U.S aided South Korea. China and the
Soviet Union helped North Korea. Another name for the korean war in
South Korea would be the forgotten war. In North Korea another name
would be Fatherland Liberation War.

How it Started

It started first when the North Korean Leader, Kim Il Sung wanted to unite
the two koreas by force. The U.S and the Soviet Union differences prevented
the North and South to reach an agreement for a unification treaty.

Kim Il Sung

He was the leader of North Korea.

He wanted to unite Korea by force.

Insisted on War

He thought reunification was impossible

Sent his military across the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950
 Stalin

Tried to prevent war and then later agreed and started preparing for war.

Gave the Chinese some air cover for crossing the bridge over the Yalu river.

Died in March 1953

President Sungman Rhee

Lead South Korea

Wanted to unite Korea

Forces for no match for North Korea

When he won the election he was 73 years old

He was imprisoned by the Japanese as a young boy.

He fled to the States and graduated from Harvard.

 President Truman

Ordered Air force and naval units in June 27, 1950.

Responded to the invasion by supporting the French in

Vietnam .

Stated that “The U.S would take whatever steps are

necessary to end this war”

Was criticized for making a lot of mistake. He sent troops to korea without approval of
the congress. Fired General Douglas MacArthur (disobedient to orders)

General Douglas
MacArthur

Commander of the UN forces in the Pacific.

Wanted to cross the 38th parallel.

Was fired by Truman for disobeying the orders because he wanted to bomb bases in
China.
 Lasting Effects

Approximately 10 million people were killed

during the war.

North Korea lost.

The population went up in North Korea and

South Korea.

South Korea has become one of the world’s economic success stories.

Timeline

1947 -Two Different political governments emerged in Korea.

Soviet leaders believed that Korea would unify together and refused to sign a
treaty with Kim Il Sung.

1948-Korea held its first general election. South Korea was established and
known as the government of korea. Korea permanently divided along the 38th
parallel.
1950-War starts, Communists capture Seoul.

President Truman ordered the Air Force and naval units into action. Soviet
Union joins Kim’s invasion.

China sent four armies and three artillery divisions on the Yalu River.

The Battle of Chongchon.

1951

Chinese enter war and attacks the Americans.

America landed more troops and drove the Chinese back.

1953

Dwight Eisenhower becomes President for America.

Americans threatened to use the atomic bomb if China didn’t stop fighting.

A armistice was signed on July 27 (South Korea did not sign)

An armistice an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting.

War ended with the help of the new President, Eisenhower.

The Atomic Bomb

This bomb is also called “Little Boy”.

When this is dropped it makes a
mushroom cloud.

The bomb was used to threatened the

chinese if they didn’t stop fighting.

This was invented by Albert Einstein and he told the Nazis to create this
bomb.

Chapter Summary

! World War II divided Korea into a Communist, northern half and an

American-occupied southern half, divided at the 38th parallel. The Korean War
(1950-1953) began when the North Korean Communist army crossed the 38th
Parallel and invaded non-Communist South Korea. As Kim Il-sung's North
Korean army, armed with Soviet tanks, quickly overran South Korea, the
United States came to South Korea's aid. General Douglas MacArthur, who had
been overseeing the post-WWII occupation of Japan, commanded the US
forces which now began to hold off the North Koreans at Pusan, at the
southernmost tip of Korea. Although Korea was not strategically essential to
the United States, the politics did not want to appear “soft hearted”.

Chapter Review

1. What was another name or nickname for the atomic bomb?

2. Why was General Douglas MacArthur fired?

3. Prediction: Why do you think Kim Il Sung thought that reunification was
impossible? (Hint: There is no right answer so just try your best)

4. What were the different names of the Korean War for South Korea and
North Korea?

5. What is the 38th parallel?