Korean War
Cold War Heats Up!
Potsdam Conference
Korea was occupied N. of 38th Parallel by the Soviet and S. by the U.S. Vote is planned for South Korea Aug.. 15, 1948 . Syngman Rhee elected Pres. North Korea refuses to have vote to unite the country
June 25, 1950 North Korea invades South Korea
Vote in the United Nations to condemn
• Soviets had boycotted U.N. since Jan over Communist China’s exclusion from U.N.
Aug. U.N. troops hold the perimeter around Pusan Sept. 15 U.N. forces land at Inchon
• By Sept. 26 Seoul is freed • Allied troops break out of Pusan and join troops moving south from Seoul
Oct.8, 1950
Allied troops cross into North Korea, McArthur has changed the aim to uniting Korea
• Oct. 19 Pyongyang, capital of North Korea, falls • Oct. 25 Chinese communist enter war, Soviet Mig 15 used • Nov. 21 troops reach the Yalu river
November 26-27 1950
Several hundred thousand Chinese soldiers cross the Yalu into North Korea
• Allied troops fall back south of the 38th Parallel • 20,000 U.S. marines are cut off at the port of Hungnam
– amphibious evacuation like Dunkirk
McArthur vs. Truman
McArthur wants to:
• bomb China with nuclear bombs if necessary • encourage Chang Kai Shek to invades Chinese mainland from Taiwan
Truman wants to
• Keep war limited to Korea • Fears a WWIII • orders McArthur to clear all statements with him • Wrong time, Wrong place, Wrong Enemy • Fears Soviet gains in Europe
April 11, 1951 Truman relieves McArthur
War is a battle for hills ( Old Baldy, Pork Chop Hill, Heartbreak Ridge, Bunker ) June 24, 1951 Peace talks begin at Panmunjom and Kaesong Oct. 8 1952 talks break down over return of prisoners
• We want to allow P.O.W. to chose if they want to return
Truce Signed July 27, 1953
South gains 1,500 sq. miles Set up a 2 1/2 mile wide buffer zone along 38th parallel Not returning:
• • • • •
14,227 Chinese 7,580 N. Koreans 325 S. Koreans 21 Americans 1 Brit