Korean War

• • After WWII, Korea was a Japanese territory divided along the map line known as the 38th parallel. North of the partition, the Soviets established a communist government. South of the partition, Americans established a democratic government.
• • There were several military clashes in 1949 along the 38th parallel. In June 1950, the North Korean army invaded the South. With Soviet weaponry, the North Koreans quickly pushed back the South, capturing Seoul. President Truman thought if he didn't interfere, the South would be conquered, as the North pushed the South back until the town of Pusan. He ordered the US army and soldiers from the United Nations to send an army to help South Korea.
• In September 1950, UN and US forces arrived at Inchon, west of Seoul, under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The rapid influx of troops pushed the North Koreans back, almost capturing all of Korea. The troops headed for the Yalu River, bordering China. The Chinese thought the troops were invading them, so they sent 500k soldiers to help the North Koreans push the UN and US troops back.
• Consequences of the Korean War:

  • Korea's division became permanent, where the North became a communist dictatorship, while the South became a capitalist economy.
  • The US considered the war a success for their policy of containment, as they prevented communism spreading into South Korea.
  • The Cold War divided Asia, just like Europe. The Americans gained Allies in South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, while the Soviets and Chinese became allies.
• After communist troops were deployed from China, a stalemate had occurred and dragged on until June 1953, where both sides agreed on a truce to end war.