Korean War

Cold War Front of the Korean Peninsula

By: Eugene Jang and Jason Lee
Social Studies D block

The Korean War was a economic

(Communism vs democracy) conflict
between North Korea and South Korea.
With the end of World War II the
tension between U.S. capitalism and
Soviet communism deepened and split a
rift between the countries of the
world. The forefront of this rift was on
the 38th parallel in the Korean
peninsula. On opposing sides of the rift
was the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea supported by the Chinese, and
Korea supported by the U.S. On June 25, 1950 war finally erupted when the armies
of North Korea made the initial offensive and occupied Seoul, driving the American
lead U.S. forces all the way to Pusan.

In September of that same year, a U.N. counter-

offensive met with success when U.N. forces
recaptured Seoul after the battle of Inchon, and
pushed further north to take Pyongyang, the
Capitol of North Korea. The following month, the
Chinese Army swarmed into the Korean Peninsula
to support the North Korean forces,
overwhelming the UN forces with sheer
numbers. By January 1951, Seoul was in the
hands of North Korea once again. After the UN
forces went on the offensive again in March and
reclaimed Seoul for the second time, the battle came to a standstill along the 38th
parallel. The end to the drawn out series of advances and retreats finally came 3
years after the start of the war, when a cease-fire was reached in July of 1953.
 Allies
Australia: Two Infantry Battalions; Naval Forces; One Fighter Squadron
Belgium: One Infantry Battalion
Canada: Reinforced Infantry Brigade (Division); Naval Forces; One Squadron of
Transport Aircraft
Colombia: One Infantry Battalion; One Naval Frigate
Ethiopia: One Infantry Battalion
France: One Reinforced Infantry Battalion
England: Two Infantry Brigades (Divisions); One Armored Regiment; Three
Artillery and Combat Engineer Regiments; The British Far Eastern Fleet; Two
Sunderland Air Squadrons
Greece: One Infantry Battalion; Transport Aircraft
Holland: One Infantry Battalion; Naval Forces
One Infantry Company
New Zealand: One Artillery Regiment, Six Naval Frigates
Philippines: One Infantry Battalion; One Tank Company
South Africa: One Fighter Squadron
Thailand: One Infantry Battalion; Naval Forces; Air and Naval Transports
Turkey: One Fighting Infantry Brigade
Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden: Medical Services

Communists
North Korea: Only fought against South Korea.
Soviet Union: Supplied weapons, tanks, and soldiers.
China: Send all their troops to aid the North Korea.
 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 korean war in
South Korea would be the forgotten war. In North Korea another name
would be Fatherland Liberation War.

How it Started

It started first when the North Korean Leader, Kim Il Sung wanted to unite
the two koreas by force. The U.S and the Soviet Union differences prevented
the North and South to reach an agreement for a unification treaty.

Kim Il Sung

He was the leader of North Korea.

He wanted to unite Korea by force.

Insisted on War

He thought reunification was impossible

Sent his military across the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950
 Stalin

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

Gave the Chinese some air cover for crossing the bridge over the Yalu river.

Died in March 1953

President Sungman Rhee

Lead South Korea

Wanted to unite Korea

Forces for no match for North Korea

 President Truman

Ordered Air force and naval units in June 27, 1950.

Responded to the invasion by supporting the French in

Vietnam .

Stated that “The U.S would take whatever steps are

necessary to end this war”

Was criticized for making a lot of mistake. He sent

troops to korea without approval of the congress.

Fired General Douglas MacArthur (disobedient to

orders)

General Douglas MacArthur

Commander of the UN forces in the Pacific.

Wanted to cross the 38th parallel.

Was fired by Truman for disobeying the orders because

he wanted to bomb bases in China.
 Lasting Effects

Approximately 10 million people were

killed during the war.

North Korea lost.

The population went up in North Korea

and South Korea.

South Korea has become one of the

world’s economic success stories.

Timeline

1947 -Two Different political governments emerged in Korea.

Soviet leaders believed that Korea would unify together and refused to sign a
treaty with Kim Il Sung.

1948-Korea held its first general election. South Korea was established and
known as the government of korea. Korea permanently divided along the 38th
parallel.
1950-War starts, Communists capture Seoul.

President Truman ordered the Air Force and naval units into action. Soviet
Union joins Kim’s invasion.

China sent four armies and three artillery divisions on the Yalu River.

The Battle of Chongchon.

1951

Chinese enter war and attacks the Americans.

America landed more troops and drove the Chinese back.

1953

Dwight Eisenhower becomes President for America.

Americans threatened to use the atomic bomb if China didn’t stop fighting.

A armistice was signed on July 27 (South Korea did not sign)

An armistice an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting.

War ended with the help of the new President, Eisenhower.

The Atomic Bomb

This bomb is also called “Little

Boy”. When this is dropped it
makes a mushroom cloud.

The bomb was used to

threatened the chinese if they
didn’t stop fighting.

This was invented by Albert

Einstein and he told the Nazis to
create this bomb.