May 9th-13th (Korean War)

Monday-  Korean War Notes 

  • The Forgotten War
    • Origins
      • Korea was invaded and ruled by Japan from 1910-1945 
      • After WWII split into North(USSR) and South(US)
      • Election was going to be held to unify Korea 
    • United Nations held in 1948 
    • USSR didn't want election in their side of Korea 
    • Communists- Kim IL-Sung
    • South- Syngman Rhee
      • US government stated in Jan 1950 that Korea was "outside of our defense perimeter
      • Encouraged North Korea to be aggressive
      • South Korea President and North Korea leader both wanted to reunited Korea under their own systems 
      • US withdrawal, the North were the ones able to go on the offensive 
      • People's Republic of China and USSR were wary of a war in Korea 
      • Mao and Stalin concerned that it would be encourage American intervention in Asia after leaving 
      • Kim was able to manipulate both Mao and Stalin into supporting their invasion of South Korea 
  • The War Begins
    • June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invade the South
    • Using Soviet equipment, their surprise attack was very successful 
    • Within days, South Korean forces retreated 
    • Seoul was captured by the North Koreans in early July 
    • South Korea forces and small number of Americans in Korea driven into small South Area (Pusan Perimeter)
    • US supplies and air support, the South Korea forces managed to stabilize this area 
    • UN support arrived looked like North could gain control of the entire peninsula 
  • Invasion 
    • Invasion of South Korea came as complete surprise to Untied States
    • Truman agreed to use US airstrikes against the North Korean forces 
    • General Douglass MacArthur was put in charge of American forces in the Pacific 
  • Untied Nations Police Action 
    • United Nations Security Council voted to send troops to help South Korea 
    • US, Great Britain, France, China and the USSR were permanent members that could veto the "Police action"
  • UN Forces VS. Communist Forces 
    • Us, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France 
      • North Korea, Soviet Union, China 
  • UN Attack 
    • Help troops in Pusan Perimeter, Mac Arthur ordered landing far behind the North Korea troops further North- at Inchon 
    • UN troops landed at Inchon and faced mild resistance and quickly recaptured Seoul 
    • N Korea find supply lines cut
      • rapid retreat north from Pusan Perimeter 
    • UN and S.K. drive north from the Pusan Perimeter to unite with Inchon troops 

Tuesday-

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Thursday-

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