Korean War
US at War
Background
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Japanese held until 1945
Post-war settlement divides at 38th
parallel
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US supported nation in the South
USSR supported nation in the North
Communist Asia
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China goes communist-1949
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US reaction
North Korea invades South
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Surprise to South and U.S.
How to Respond?
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Truman needed to show toughness on
communism
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Public saw parallel with 1930’s
appeasement
Fear of communist monolith
What type of war?
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Bomb Moscow?
Localized conflict?
United Nations War
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Decide to sent troops
Went to UN for support
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Russians boycotting
UN supports stopping aggression
Becomes UN war
Early War
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North Korean army rolls over South
Korean and American army
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Poor quality US troops
Old equipment
Establish a perimeter near Pusan
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Looked like might be pushed into sea
Inchon
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MacArthur realizes the need to relieve
pressure from Pusan perimeter
Decides to stage amphibious assault
Inchon—location rather than suitability
Poor location
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Tides and seawall
Inchon
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MacArthur was correct
North Koreans barely defend the port
Marines quickly capture, drive on to
Seoul
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Pusan stages major breakout
North Korean army disintegrates
UN forces quickly reach
What to do next?
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Accomplished original goal
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Stop or unify country
Continue to move north
North toward Yalu River
Capture N. Korean capital-Pyongyang
Chinese enter
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Chinese get nervous
Send warning through India
MacArthur dismisses Chinese threats
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One last push-believe war almost over
Nov 1950-reports of Chinese troops
Late 1950 UN troops run into Chinese
Retreat
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Forced to retreat
Individual units encircled
Chinese poorly equipped but huge
numbers
By Christmas 1950, recapture all N.
Korea
Announce attempt to unify
Capture Seoul
New Decisions-How to fight?
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Bomb China-Go nuclear
Unleash Nationalist Chinese
Blockade China
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MacArthur wants to widen war
JCS and Truman decide to keep war at
same level
MacArthur Crisis
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Disagrees with decision
Goes public with criticism
Truman relieves him of command
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Public upset
Raises question of objective of war
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Victory or stalemate?
War of Attrition
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Use of artillery and air war to kill as
many N. Koreans and Chinese as
possible
Stalemate close to 38th parallel
Negotiations for two years
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Much bloodletting for nothing
Air war in Korea
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Tactical and Strategic use of air power
First major use of jet fighters by both
sides
Americans control the air
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Use strategic power to destroy
communications and stop Chinese
offensives
Problem-not many strategic things to bomb
Manpower
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Limited war-limited manpower
Very large logistical support
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9 soldiers behind lines for each in combat
Selective Service
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Deferments
Inequality –
Rotation System