April 27- Korean War
Origins- Korea was invaded and ruled by Japan from 1910 until 1945. After WWII, Korea was split into two-North (USSR) and South (US) at the 38th parallel. An election was going to be held to eventually unify Korea. The UN held an election in 1948. The SU refused to allow participation in the election in their occupied zone. instead, they handed over power to the North Korean Communist Party under Kim IL-Sung. The South elected the nationalist exile Syngman Rhee. UN Security Council voted to send troops to help SK. US, Great B, France, China, and the SU were permanent members that could veto the "police action". Why didn't the USSR and/or China veto this proposal? Because China was actually Taiwan, wasn't communist. Because of this, SU was boycotting the meeting, so they didn't vote. UN Attacks. In order to take pressure off of the Pusan Perimeter, MacArthur ordered an amphibious landing far behind the NK troops at Inchon. UN troops landed at Inchon and faced only mild resistance and quickly moved to recapture Seoul. A demilitarized zone was established around it, which is still defended today by NK troops on one side and SK and American troops on the other. Newly elected US. President Dwight Eisenhower fulfilled a campaign promise. We bombed them big time.
April 28- We heard a country twang version of The Show Goes On talking about the Korean War. Then we went over the Korean War and Vietnam.
NK Leaders- Kim il Sung, Kim Jong il. Kim Jong-un. He killed his uncle because he couldn't trust him. Six Party Talks: US, SK, NK, China, Russia, Japan. In 2005 Nk agrees to halt nuclear weapon program exchange for security and economic and trade benefits. Shortly after, NK backs out of the deal. In 2008, NK destroys it's biggest nuclear weapons plant.
Vietnam
Once we were into it, it was hard to get out of.
Ho Chi Minh- Very smart. Uncle Ho. Always dressed like a poor person to be humble, and he wanted to be seen like a poor vietnamese.
April 29- More about Vietnam.
Who fought? The US army, North Vietcong. (Viet-communists)
Escalation- Truman began US involvement by sending money to help the French. Eisenhower continued US support by sending military advisors to give temporary support to Diem's government in the South. President Kennedy continued sending advisors as well as special operation forces. Johnson sent more and more combat forces. Nixon didn't want to lose the war, so he expanded it to Cambodia. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution- Passed after the incident. Gave Johnson the power to wage war.
April 30-
Agent orange- We dropped it on Vietnam.
Jane Fonda was considered a traitor.
People assumed all US soldiers were the same (killing and raping the Vietcong people). Kent St 1970- Worst school shooting (then).
How did people get out of serving (deferment)? Went to Canada. Went to college. Got married. Medically unfit for service. Joined National Guard. Claimed to be homosexual. Got into legal trouble. Being rich.
May 1-
Paris Peace Accords were later signed on January 27, 1973 which officially ended US involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Fighting stopped, US would pull out of Vietnam, and NOrth and South Vietnam would recognize each other's independence. Peace didn't last. When the US left, the North invaded the South. War Powers Act- A president of the US must consult with Congress prior to and during any hostilities as well until US armed forces are no longer needed. President must remove US armed forces from hostilities if congress hasn't agreed in 60 days.
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