Week of May 9th - 13th

Monday: Talking about the Korean War.

The Korean Conflict - 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 Korean forces and small number of Americans in Korea driven into small South Area (Pusan Perimeter)

    • US supplies and air support, the South Korean 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 United States

    • Truman agreed to use US airstrikes against the North Korean forces

    • General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge of American forces in the Pacific

  • United 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, Macarthur ordered landing far behind the North Korean troops further North- at Inchon

    • UN troops landed at Inchon and faced mild resistance and quickly recaptured Seoul

    • North 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: Work day! 

Wednesday: Presentations begin.

Thursday: Work Day.

Friday: Presentations. 

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