FCPS U.S./Virginia History SOL Standards: VUS 13b (1950-1953) You mean America became involved in a civil war in Korea?

Who Fought? The Korean War, 1950-1953 Prior to World War II, Korea was taken over by Japan. After the war, 1 Farthest Advance of North Korean the victorious Allied nations divided Korea into two nations at the 38th Forces, 2 UN Landing, September, 1950 Parallel line. American military forces occupied and 3 Farthest Advance of UN Forces, October- created a capitalist economy while Soviet forces in the North established 4 UN Defensive Line after Chinese Entry, January 1951 a communist society. North Korean forces invaded South Korea in 5 Cease fire Line, UN Forces Communist Forces June 1950 in an attempt to unify the country under communism. The « Capital cities led a military force to help South Korea fight against the North. About twenty countries provided soldiers and aid to South Korea. and the supported and fought with the North Koreans. « Why Did the United States Enter the War? U.S. President Harry Truman had issued his Truman Doctrine in 1947 outlining America’s policy of of communism. When the containment « North Korean army invaded South Korea, America wanted to protect nearby Japan and prevent communism from spreading into the rest of Asia from the Soviet Union and China. America called on the United Nations to use force against and the United Nations Joint Command agreed to provide troops. In September 1950, American General Douglas MacArthur led a coalition of UN troops that landed at Inchon in South Korea and advanced into North Korea. This resulted in communist Chinese forces coming to the aid of North Korea and driving UN troops back across the 38th Parallel to South

Korea. Eventually the Soviet Union, another communist country, provided North and South Korea divided at the 38th parallel military aid to the North Korean army as well. http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/03_The-World-since-1900/09_The-Cold- War/pictures/P+D-648_map_Korean-War.jpg General MacArthur disagreed with President Truman on how to handle the war and was relieved of his command in April, 1951. UN forces counterattacked and the war went back and forth with each side gaining and losing territory before the war eventually came to a stalemate. The cease-fire was signed on July 27, 1953, and has never been replaced by a formal peace treaty. It set up a 4-kilometer demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel. It was signed by North Korean and Chinese military leaders on one side, and by the U.S.-led United Nations command on the other. No South Korean representatives signed the agreement.” Officially the war has never ended, but rather is in a “paused” condition. What Were the Results of the War? The ceasefire produced no clear winning side of the Korean War. The border between North and South Korea was restored to the 38th Parallel, the same it had been before the war started. This area became a demilitarized zone (DMZ) and exists to this day. Today, South Korea is known as the Republic of South Korea and is a successful democracy with a healthy economy. North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship named the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and is known for human rights abuses and militarization. As a result of the Korean war, racial integration efforts in the U.S.

President Harry Truman greets General Douglas military increased. African Americans fought in integrated units for the first time. MacArthur in 1950. Among the 1.8 million American soldiers who fought in the Korean War there were Source: Wikimedia Commons: Truman_and_MacArthur.JPG http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Truman_and_MacArthur.JPG more than 100,000 African Americans. Also, for the short duration of the war, casualty numbers were very high. The Korean War was the first major war of the Cold War era. FCPS HS Social Studies © 2012 Korean War (1950-1953): (cont.) FCPS U.S./Virginia History SOL Standards: VUS 13b

U.S., UN, and North Korean Casualties in the Korean War United United North States Nations Korea Dead 54,246 628,833 Between 215,000 - 350,000

Wounded 103,824 1.1 million 303,000

Captured 7,140 92,970 Combined

Missing 8,177 470,267 120,000 Trucks crossing the Korean divide. Today the nation is still divided at the 38th parallel Source: American Battlefield Monuments Commission Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvxD2aMpZSs/Tb6s6eROzhI/AAAAAAAAAkY/n4R6p90SRWs/ s1600/crossing_the_38th_parallel.jpg

Key Vocabulary Capitalism: a governments’ economic system Truman Doctrine: policy that America would 38th Parallel: circle of north latitude that that is based on private property, including private provide economic and military aid to any nation divides North and South Korea ownership of the means of production, and fighting communism profit motive United Nations: international peace-keeping Demilitarized zone: a region between countries organization after World War II Containment: America’s policy of stopping in which no military activity is permitted communism from spreading Communist: an authoritarian system of Militarization: a society organized around government in which a single party controls a Stalemate: a military situation in which neither preparing for military conflict state-owned economy side can gain an advantage

Quick Review

America’s Reasons for 2. Why did China give aid to North Korea? 3. Today, the demilitarized zone shows that: Entering the Korean War A. It wanted to take over Korea. A. There is still tension between the North North Korea invades South Korea B. It was a long-time enemy of America. and South. Stop the spread of communism ? C. Both were communist countries. B. Korea is a united country D. Both wanted to conquer America. C. The North and South will soon be united 1. What is the best choice to complete D. America has abandoned helping the graphic? South Korea. A. Defeat the Soviet Union B. Protect Japan C. Show off its military strength D. Unite Korea under communism

FCPS HS Social Studies © 2012