Korean War

The Beginnings of War

•June 25, 1950•Soviets backed North Korea•US backed South Korea•The United States was fighting against

the spread of global communism. •Both sides wanted to take over the other

side’s territory•10,000 soldiers on both sides were killed

before the war even began

Intervention• US feared that

Communism would take over if North Korea won the war

• Struggle between the Eastern and Western Worlds

• Started off an a defensive war to just keep North Korea out of South Korea

• Moved to offense, and drove the North Korean army back over the 38th parallel

MacArthur wanted to fight• Did not want to appease

the Soviet’s and North Korea▫ Thought it would allow

for Communism to spread• Sent a letter to Joseph

Martin to declare war on China▫ He knew that this letter

would get leaked to the press

▫ This letter got him fired from leading the American troops

The War Stands Still• President Truman started

peace talks with the North Koreans

• Prisoners of War would be able to choose what side they would like to stay on after the war

• Divided the land at the 38th parallel▫ Still exists today▫ 2 miles of demilitarized

zone

Casualties of the War

•About 5 million people died•Half were civilians

▫More civilian casualties than WW2 and Vietnam

•40,000 Americans died•100,000 Americans were wounded