The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, testing Truman's policy of containment against the spread of communism. The United Nations authorized troops to defend South Korea led by General MacArthur. MacArthur's surprise attack at Inchon was a turning point that forced North Korean retreat. However, China later entered the war on North Korea's side, pushing UN forces back until a ceasefire in 1953 left the border along the 38th parallel. The Vietnam War began as resistance to French colonial rule, with the US backing France until their defeat in 1954. This divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with communist North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh and US-backed South Vietnam led by Diem. However, the

1. Korean and Vietnam War

2. Korean War Korea divided at the end of WWII North surrendered to Soviets South Surrendered to the United States Most occupying troops are removed from the peninsula by 1949 North Korea receiving military aid from the Soviets

3. Korean War June 25, 1950 North Korea invades South Korea Truman’s policy of containment tested Convinced this was very similar to what had happened with Hitler and the other axis powers during WWII Pledges the US to help South Korea Initially just air and naval cover and then ground troops after MacArthur assesses the situation

4. United Nations Intervention South Korea asks the United Nations for help Taken to the Security Council Why would you expect any action against North Korea to be voted down in the Security Council? Soviets were absent from the meeting Boycotting because of the Nationalists China being given the Chinese seat in the United Nations

5. United Nations Intervention 15 nations pledge to send troops to help the South Koreans under the leadership of Douglas Macarthur Forces enter the conflict amidst continued North Korean success

6. The War Pusan the only South Korean area left MacArthur plans a surprise attack to try and defeat the North Koreans at Inchon

7. Inchon Landing Landing the forces at Inchon allowed MacArthur to pinch the North Koreans between the his two forces Forces about half of the North Korean Army to surrender and the rest to retreat With North Korean forces on retreat MacArthur gives chase preparing to deliver the final blow

8. Refusal of Surrender North Koreans refuse to surrender even after being pushed back past the 38 th parallel Truman did not want this conflict to escalate into a larger war Chinese troops were building along the Manchurian border and there were threats of a Chinese invasion if MacArthur on the UN continued to push too far

9. Invasion of North Korea South Korean troops begin to push into North Korea MacArthur reorganizes the UN troops and prepares to completely destroy the N. Korean Army Plans begin to be drawn up in the UN for a N. Korean occupation and eventual unification plan under a democratic government

10. China Gets Involved October 1950 China enters the war on behalf of the N. Koreans Now a war between the US and China MacArthur’s forces are outnumbered and are pushed back into S. Korea and lose the capital of Seoul MacArthur begins to call for nuclear strikes against Chinese targets

11. MacArthur Dismissed Truman completely against escalation Want to stay out of world wars, not start them MacArthur takes his case to Congress and the press trying to force Truman’s hand Truman relieves MacArthur of command

12. Peace Agreement Ceasefire signed after 2 more years of fighting UN troops are able to beat the N. Koreans back to near the 38 th parallel Almost no change in the border but 5 million lives were lost during the war

13. Aftermath of the War NORTH KOREA Poor Shortages of food and energy Communist Dictators Kim Jung Il current dictator Heavily militarized South Korea Robust economic growth thanks to US stimulus aid Democratic constitution with free elections now in place One of the fastest growing economies in the world Focuses on industry and exports

14. Vietnam France colonized most of Southeast Asia to control the resources Ho Chi Minh Young Rebel in Vietnam looks for help from the Communists to help against the French Forms the Indochinese Communist Party

15. Conflict in Vietnam French jail the protesters Ho incites Sentences Ho and other party leaders to death but Ho escapes Returns in 1941 after the Japanese invasion Form the Vietminh League to fight against the Japanese American Intelligent Agency (OSS) aligns with Ho to harass the Japanese In 1945 Japan admits defeat France seeks to regain the colony

16. Vietnam War Begins France faces resistance as it tries to regain the colony Communists and Nationalists join together to fight against the French for independence Hit and Run tactics (guerilla warfare) make France wonder if the colony is worth the price in lives US supports the French as an extension of their containment policy

17. Dien Bien Phu Viet Minh surround Dien Bien Phu French stronghold Viet Minh have 50,000 troops surrounding the city Constant artillery fire shuts down the only runway causing French to rely on parachuting in supplies France calls on the USA for help as the Viet Minh dig tunnels closer and closer to their positions

18. USA Enters the War Domino Theory If one country fell to communism those around it would also fall Communism would spread Potential Options for US involvement Send combat troops Conventional airstrike with B-29 Bombers Tactical Nuclear Weapon

19. French Surrender The French admit defeat before the US commits Geneva Peace Conference determines the country will be split at the 17 th parallel Communist Ho Chi Minh to the North US and France support Ngo Dinh Diem in the South in an anti-communist government

20. Vietnam Divided Diem leads as dictator in the South Unpopular US supports Diem cancellation of the elections Fear an election would lead to a communist victory Ho Chi Minh is a popular leader in the North with land redistribution programs

21. Vietcong Resistance Outrage at the corrupt leadership of Diem grows Vietcong guerillas begin to fight and eventually take over large areas in the South 1963 US attempts to back a coup to replace Diem with a more popular leader Assassinate Diem and take control No more popular

22. Americans Get Directly Involved US military had served as advisors to South Vietnamese US decides to send in troops to prevent the rise of Ho in the South

23. Americans In Vietnam 185,000 plus troops deployed to Vietnam Best trained and equipped force in the world Guerilla warfare in unfamiliar terrain Problems Faced South Vietnamese Government becoming more unpopular US support for the war is failing Terrain unfamiliar

24. American Withdraw Becomes clear that there is no decisive victory in sight for the war Richard Nixon begins the withdraw Plan of Vietnamization where the South Vietnamese slowly took over for the American soldiers who were leaving Hoped the South Vietnamese government would hold Authorized bombings of Laos and Cambodia to try and destroy Vietcong supply routes and hideouts