Korean War

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 war in South Korea is 6.25 war. In North Korea another name would be Fatherland Liberation War.

CAUSES
There were two different political governments in
Korea.

During the elections for The Republic of Korea

there were protests who feared that the elections would kill the chances for unification.

The North held their own elections. The elections and the dividing of Korea.

HOW IT STARTED
North Korean leader, Kim II Sung, wanted to unite
Korea by force.

The U.S. and the Soviet Union differences

prevented the North and South to negotiate a unification treaty.

KIM II SUNG

Leader of North Korea. Wanted to unite Korea by force. Insisted on the war. Thought that a peaceful reunification was impossible.

Sent his military across the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950.
Attacked with many WWII Russian tanks.

Forces were stalled around Taegu and Pusan. The stalling is known as Pusan Perimeter.

A Russian tank.

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

Gave the Chinese some

air cover for crossing the bridge over the Yalu River.

Died in March 1953.

PRESIDENT SYNGMAN RHEE

Lead South Korea. Wanted to unite
Korea.

Forces were no match

to the North.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN
Ordered America air and naval units
into action by June 27, 1950.

Responded to the invasion by giving

support to the French in Vietnam.

Agreed to the UN forces moving into

North Korea, but thought doing this would bring Soviet Union or China into the war.

Stated that the U.S. would take

whatever steps are necessary to meet the military situation, weapons included.

Was criticized for making a lot of

mistakes such as sending troops to Korea without the approval of Congress.

Fired General Douglas MacArthur for

insubordination.

GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR

Commander of the
U.S. forces in the Pacific. Wanted to cross the 38th parallel. Was fired by President Truman for insubordination because he wanted to bomb bases in China.

LASTING EFFECTS
Approximately 10 million people were killed during
the war.

North Korea lose. The population went up in both North and South
Korea.

South Korea has become one of the worlds

economic success stories.

PRIMARY SOURCE
A letter about General
MacArthur being fired.

It describes why he
was being fired.

MAP

 1947

TIMELINE
Two different political governments emerged in Korea Soviet leaders believed Korea would unify together and refused to sign a treaty with Kim II Sung South Korea held its first general election The Republic of Korea was established and was known as the government of Korea Communist countries recognized the DPKR as the government of North Korea Korea becomes permanently divided along the 38th parallel

1948

1949

Stalin tries to prevent war and then later start preparing soldiers for war
War starts Communists forces captured Seoul, South Koreas capital President Truman ordered America air and naval units into action. Soviet Union joins the war against Kims invasion.

1950

TIMELINE
B-26 Bomber aircraft struck against Norths airfield China massed four armies and three artillery divisions on the Yalu
River Russians shot down 23 U.S. aircraft. The Battle of Chongchon

1951

Front lines stabilized near where war started Chinese enters war and attack Americans Americans landed more troops and drove the Chinese back Dwight Eisenhower becomes American president Americans threatened to use Atomic bomb if China didnt stop

1953

fighting An armistice was signed on July 27 (South Korea did not sign the armistice) War ended with the help of the new President, Eisenhower.

THE ATOMIC BOMB

A picture of an atomic bomb like the one the Americans threatened to use if China didnt stop fighting.

SOURCES
"Learn Korean Language." Facts About the Korean War. 24 Apr. 2008
<http://www.learnkoreanlanguage.com/facts-about-the-korean-war.html>.

"Korean War." Naval Historical Center. 1 May 2008

<http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar.htm>.

"KoreanWar.Com." Welcome to KoreanWar.Com. 1 May 2008

<http://www.koreanwar.com/>.

Bajanov, Dr. Evgueni. "The Origins of the Korean War." Alternative

Insight. June 2000. 6 May 2008 <http://www.alternativeinsight.com/Korean_War.html>.

Smitha, Frank E. "The Korean War." Macrohistory and World Report.

2001. 6 May 2008 http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch24kor.html>.