Korean War

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Korean War
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Background

• 1945 after Truman dropped the bomb Japan
  surrendered to the allies.
• Russia was fighting Japan on the Asian continent
  as well.
• Korea was a colony of Japan.
• USSR invaded Korea in the North
• USA invaded from the south.

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Background

• They meet at the 38th parallel (latitude) and
  divided the country in two.

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United Nations

• In 1945 the UN is formed.
• Had a general assembly that met every year.
• A security council that met more regularly on
  current issues.
• Security Council Britain, USA, USSR and elected
  representatives from other countries.

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U.N.

• UN decided that Korea was to have elections to
  choose a national government for the whole
  country and reunify.
• The US set up a parliament in the South based on
  Capitalism with the capital in Seoul. (Republic
  of Korea)
• The USSR set up a communist regime in the North
  with the capital of Pyongyang (Peoples
  Democratic Republic of Korea.

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• The US and USSR withdraw troops but continue to
  fund and supply the Korean Militaries.
• 1949 a civil war in Koreas Neighbour, China,
  results in the formation of Communist government
  under Mao.

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Start of War1950

• Both sides believed their government should rule
  the whole country.
• With the encouragement of USSR and China, North
  Korea, under Kim Il Sung, invaded the South.

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UN Involvement

• China was represented at the UN by the former
  Capitalist regime.
• UN would not recognize the Communist government.
• USSR was absent from Security Council in protest.

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• Since USSR was not there to veto a resolution was
  passed saying the North broke peace and had to
  withdraw to the 38th parallel again.
• North refused.
• Un called on its members to us force and the US
  was to lead the attack.

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UN Involvement

• Truman was afraid that if Korea fell to Communism
  than so would Japan and other Capitalists
  countries. (Domino Theory).
• 16 countries supported the UN invasion of Korea
  including Canada.
• Truman chose General Macarthur to lead the force.

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Events of the war
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1st phase

• June Sept.
• North Korea pushes the South all the way back to
  a small corner of the country called Pusan.

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2nd phase

• Macarthur organised a landing at Inchon.
• Effectively surrounds N Korean troops.
• Despite Chinas warnings they cross the 38th
  parallel.

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3rd phase

• US ignore China and push all the way to the Yalu
  River.
• This borders with China.
• Macarthur ignored Trumans orders and began to
  approach the Yalu.

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• China enters the war.
• Pushes the force back past the 38th parallel.
• Un counter Attack drives them back to the 38th
  parallel.
• Armistice signed in 1953.