Why did the Korean war last
so long?
Korean proverb
‘When whales collide, the
shrimp suffer’
Who is the shrimp?
Key things before you look at the
course of the war
1. How and why did the war become
internationalised?
2. What was the significance of the US entry
into the war?
3. Was the war a ‘UN’ or ‘US’ War?
How and why did the war become
internationalised?
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25th June 1950 North Korea attacks South
Attack debated by UN in absence of USSR and resolution passed to ask North
Korea to withdraw
27th June Security Council resolution declaring that UN should oppose North Korea
USA had 500 advisors in KMAG who retreated rapidly
27th June Truman responds with executive order authorising US naval forces to
attack and air forces
‘Communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent
nations and will now use armed invasion and war’ (Truman)
Congress supportive and vote to extend the draft
Truman claims it is a ‘Police Action
30th June Truman sends in US troops in face of South Korean collapse
Orders US 7th Fleet to Tawain straits
UN asks Truman to appoint UNC commander – MacArthur – difference in policy
from Truman
What was the significance of the US
entry into the war?
• USA taking a significant risk – risk of Third World War if China/
USSR get involved
• Trumans actions were significantly expanding US foreign
policy in Asia
• 7th fleet to Taiwan causing resurgence of China-US conflict and
tension
• Chinese fears confirmed when MacArthur carried out high
profile visit to Chiang-Shek in Taiwan
• Not clear what US war aims were?...- aggression against China
too?
• A domestic risk for Truman – when the war went badly
Truman accused of not getting a congressional election for
war – his opponents called the war ‘Truman’s War’
Was the war a ‘UN’ or ‘US’ War?
• Truman: ‘ A police Action
• 15 other nations involved
• But US and South Korea provided 90% of the fighting
men
• MacArthur never communicated directly with the UN
• Dispatch of 7th fleet to Taiwan not a UN measure
• US did what it wanted to do
• Not surprising about lack of communication with so
many different languages/ nationalities
• ‘Friendly Fire’ example
Task: use pages 24-37 to complete notes which explain the
points below. Either make a mind map or a grid. (Or chapter
2 green and grey book) . Think of it like a timeline!
• EXPLAIN why the North Korean forces were able to
conquer so much of the south
• EXPLAIN why they were prevented from capturing Pusan by
US forces
• EXPLAIN the importance of the Inchon landing
• EXPLAIN the US decision to move north of the 38th parallel
• EXPLAIN the reasons for Chinese intervention in the Korean
war and the risks of doing so
• EXPLAIN why the Chinese forces were able to capture Seoul
• EXPLAIN why Truman sacked MacArthur and why this
sacking was so risky for Truman
• EXPLAIN how the war eventually ended
Reflection: Key questions
• Why did it finally come to an end?
• Why did the war last so long?
• Why did peace have to be declared?