Korean War

• Background of Korean War

  Korea had been divided in 1945 at Potsdam into North and South across the 38th parallel. Both USA and USSR wanted to ensure their zone were secure from military threats and had strong leaders.
• What is a proxy War

  A war instigated by a major power that does not itself participate
• Leader of North Korea during Korean War?

  Kim Il Sung (communist)
• Leader of South Korea during Korean War?

  Syngman Rhee (democratic)
• March 1949 - Korean War


  Kim asks Stalin to support invasion of South Korea but Stalin encouraged the Chinese to support North Korea instead.
• 1950 - Korean War


  Stalin reluctantly agreed to provide weapons and equipment to support Kim. He made it clear Soviet troops would not be involved.
• June 1950 - Korean War


  North Korea invades South Korea
• The United Nations involvement in the Korean War

  USA asked the UN to call a ceasefire. UN voted for withdrawal of North Korean troops from the south. The USSR was boycotting the UN so they could not veto the decision.

  The USA sent troops to support Rhee and as they had UN support they couldn't be accused of acting on its own.
• September 1950 - Korean War

  Inchon Landing - US forces, led by General MacArthur, and drive the North Koreans back to the 38th parallel.
• October 1950 - Korean War


  Chinese troops enter the war and help launch a North Korean counter attack. Seoul is captured.
• April 1951 - Korean War


  Truman dismisses MacArthur after his suggestion to use nuclear weapons.
• June 1951 - Korean War


  A stalemate occurs around the 38th parallel. Peace talks begin.
• July 1953 - Korean War


  Korean War ends
• Consequences of Korean War

  Showed USA commitment to contain Communism. Showed power USA had in UN. Dismissal of MacArthur showed they did not want to risk full military engagement with the USSR, who thought the same thing.