The Korean WarThe Korean War

77thth grade grade

Social StudiesSocial Studies

Bell Work: Monday April 13, Bell Work: Monday April 13, 20152015

Topic: A hot warTopic: A hot war

-We’ve learned about what the -We’ve learned about what the Cold War was. Take a guess and write Cold War was. Take a guess and write what you think a “Hot War” might be. what you think a “Hot War” might be.

Where is Korea?Where is Korea?

Background on KoreaBackground on Korea

During the During the Age of Imperialism Age of Imperialism Japan Japan had invaded and taken over the had invaded and taken over the entirety of Koreaentirety of Korea

During World War II it was a strategic During World War II it was a strategic base for Japan in the Pacific Region. base for Japan in the Pacific Region.

The End of WW IIThe End of WW II Allied powers Allied powers divide Korea is divided at the divide Korea is divided at the

38th parallel.38th parallel. 3838thth parallel-The geographic divide of North parallel-The geographic divide of North

and South Korea and South Korea North Korea- occupied by the North Korea- occupied by the Soviet UnionSoviet Union South Korea- occupied by South Korea- occupied by the USthe US

The United NationsThe United Nations Committee formed by world leaders to prevent Committee formed by world leaders to prevent

another world waranother world war 5 Biggest Members: US, Russia, France, United 5 Biggest Members: US, Russia, France, United

Kingdom, ChinaKingdom, China

Korean War (1950-1953): Post Korean War (1950-1953): Post WWII WWII

North Korea North Korea (Communism) VS. (Communism) VS. South Korea South Korea (Democracy)(Democracy)

North Korea invades North Korea invades South KoreaSouth Korea

Korea becomes Korea becomes known as the “The known as the “The Forgotten War”Forgotten War” Much less attention Much less attention

than WW II or the than WW II or the Vietnam WarVietnam War

US Steps InUS Steps In

According to United Nations treaty According to United Nations treaty signed after WWIIsigned after WWII All countries in alliance must step in All countries in alliance must step in

to help one anotherto help one another Fear of another “Hitler” taking control- Fear of another “Hitler” taking control-

must act nowmust act now COLD WARCOLD WAR

US- supports democracyUS- supports democracy Fear of communism being spread to Fear of communism being spread to

democratic nationdemocratic nation

Domino TheoryDomino Theory

The domino theory was a popular theory from the 1950s to the 1980s, that guessed that if one state in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect.

Quote from President TrumanQuote from President Truman

““Communism was acting in Korea, just as Communism was acting in Korea, just as Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese had ten, Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese had ten, fifteen, and twenty years earlier. I felt fifteen, and twenty years earlier. I felt certain that if South Korea was allowed to certain that if South Korea was allowed to fall communist leaders would be fall communist leaders would be emboldened to override nations closer to emboldened to override nations closer to our own shores. If the Communists were our own shores. If the Communists were permitted to force their way into the permitted to force their way into the Republic of Korea without opposition from Republic of Korea without opposition from the free world, no small nation would have the free world, no small nation would have the courage to resist threat and aggression the courage to resist threat and aggression by stronger communist neighbors.” by stronger communist neighbors.”

US Attack and Major EventsUS Attack and Major Events

Led by General MacArthurLed by General MacArthur US bomb bases and attempt to cut US bomb bases and attempt to cut

off trade linesoff trade lines Chinese enter war on side of North Chinese enter war on side of North

Korea (1950)Korea (1950) ““Stalemate” Occurs (1951-1953)Stalemate” Occurs (1951-1953)

Neither side is gaining any territoryNeither side is gaining any territory Massive amounts of civilians dyingMassive amounts of civilians dying

The End of the WarThe End of the War

ProblemProblem: : The land was too forested (Could not see The land was too forested (Could not see

enemies)enemies) Tanks and other military artillery would not workTanks and other military artillery would not work

Could not tell who was North Korea and who Could not tell who was North Korea and who was South.was South.

50% of North Korea’s cities were 50% of North Korea’s cities were destroyed by bombingdestroyed by bombing

US Deaths- 54, 000US Deaths- 54, 000 Chinese and Korean Deaths- over 540, 000Chinese and Korean Deaths- over 540, 000

The Peace TreatyThe Peace Treaty US President Eisenhower forces North US President Eisenhower forces North

Korea to sign treatyKorea to sign treaty Eisenhower threatens to use nuclear Eisenhower threatens to use nuclear

weaponsweapons July 27, 1953July 27, 1953

Cease fire occurs (No more combat)Cease fire occurs (No more combat) Never an “official” treaty that ends the Never an “official” treaty that ends the

war, just an agreement between war, just an agreement between countries to stop fightingcountries to stop fighting

North Korea remains CommunistNorth Korea remains Communist South Korea remains a DemocracySouth Korea remains a Democracy

Korea TodayKorea Today

North KoreaNorth Korea

South KoreaSouth Korea

What does this tell you about how North Korea is today?