Korean WarKorean War 1950-1953 1950-1953

Objective: Demonstrate an understanding of how the Korean War resulted in a further heightening of Cold War tensions

Who Lost China?Who Lost China?Chiang Kai-shek (nationalists) and Mao Chiang Kai-shek (nationalists) and Mao

Zedong (communists) continued civil war Zedong (communists) continued civil war post-WWIIpost-WWII

Chiang Kai-shek’s forces fled to Taiwan in Chiang Kai-shek’s forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 1949

Divided KoreaDivided Korea Korea divided along 38Korea divided along 38thth

parallel by US and USSRparallel by US and USSR US backs SouthUS backs South USSR backs NorthUSSR backs North Both pull out by 1949 but…Both pull out by 1949 but…

June 25, 1950 N. Korean June 25, 1950 N. Korean troops invaded the Southtroops invaded the South

Truman RespondsTruman Responds

Avoid appeasement and fate Avoid appeasement and fate of Leagueof League

Contain CommunismContain CommunismKorea confirms containment Korea confirms containment

doctrine idea that can’t relax our doctrine idea that can’t relax our guard w/o Comm. aggression guard w/o Comm. aggression

Chance to implement NSC-68Chance to implement NSC-68Demonstrate that Democrats Demonstrate that Democrats

are not “soft” on Communismare not “soft” on Communism

UN InvolvementUN Involvement Truman calls on UN to declare “police action” against Truman calls on UN to declare “police action” against

aggressorsaggressors Security Council vote: no China, Russia absent in Security Council vote: no China, Russia absent in

protestprotest No congressional approval, no declaration of warNo congressional approval, no declaration of war US made up 50% of troops, S. Korea 40%US made up 50% of troops, S. Korea 40%

MacArthur vs. TrumanMacArthur vs. Truman MacArthurMacArthur

Great offensiveGreat offensive Then miscalculatesThen miscalculates Wants to retaliate and attack Wants to retaliate and attack

ChinaChina Suggests atomic weaponsSuggests atomic weapons

Truman disagreesTruman disagrees China gives warning, then China gives warning, then

counterattackscounterattacks MacArthur publicly criticizes MacArthur publicly criticizes

Truman “In war, there is no Truman “In war, there is no substitute for victory!”substitute for victory!”

Truman fires MacArthurTruman fires MacArthur

Truman and the WarTruman and the WarPolicy of “Limited War for Specific Goals”Policy of “Limited War for Specific Goals”Prevent major land warPrevent major land warAvoid World War III & atomic escalationAvoid World War III & atomic escalationCriticized heavily at homeCriticized heavily at home

An Unpopular War at HomeAn Unpopular War at Home

Soon after World War IISoon after World War IIMany casualties when “not at War”Many casualties when “not at War”StalemateStalemate

no clear victory or treatyno clear victory or treatyGoals unclear; changingGoals unclear; changing

Far removed from Americans’ livesFar removed from Americans’ livesEisenhower campaigns on ending war and Eisenhower campaigns on ending war and

wins 1952 electionwins 1952 election

Effects…Effects… 54,246 American troops killed54,246 American troops killed 103,284 wounded and missing103,284 wounded and missing $54 billion cost$54 billion cost

Reinforces Containment policyReinforces Containment policy NSC-68’s recommendations are followedNSC-68’s recommendations are followed Leads to increased military spendingLeads to increased military spendingSpeeds up Nuclear Arms RaceSpeeds up Nuclear Arms Race Separates Korean peninsulaSeparates Korean peninsulaTrend of President committing troops without Trend of President committing troops without Congressional Declaration of WarCongressional Declaration of War

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsWas the Korean War a success or failure? Was the Korean War a success or failure? Did MacArthur have the right to publicly Did MacArthur have the right to publicly

criticize Truman? criticize Truman? Should the President be able to commit Should the President be able to commit

troops without Congress declaring War?troops without Congress declaring War?What are our options if another country What are our options if another country

does something we don’t like?does something we don’t like?When should we use military intervention?When should we use military intervention?

What criteria should be considered before taking What criteria should be considered before taking military action?military action?

What type of military action should be taken?What type of military action should be taken?