The Korean War began in June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The war escalated as the UN, led by the US, came to South Korea's defense and pushed back the North Koreans. However, China entered the war on North Korea's side and pushed the UN forces back below the 38th parallel dividing line. An armistice was agreed in 1953, leaving Korea divided along the 38th parallel.

1. WAR!
North Korea AttackedJune 25,
1950
North Koreans were very
successful. The North Korean
People's Army easily defeated
the Republic of Korea's army
South Korean forces pushed back
to southeast corner of peninsula,
‘Pusan Perimeter’
The Americans were alarmed and
persuaded the United Nations to
support South Korea. Out of the
300,000 UN troops, 260,000 were
Americans.

2. USA and the United Nations go to War

3. • The American army
and UN forces, led by
General MacArthur,
went to Korea. It
landed at Pusan, and
made an amphibious
landing at Inchon
(near Seoul).
• UN drove back the
North Koreans and
recaptured South
Korea. 125,000
NKPA prisoners were
taken.

4. September 15, 1950 – USA/UN Makes Landing At Inchon
• The American army
and UN forces, led by
General MacArthur,
went to Korea. It
landed at Pusan, and
made an amphibious
landing at Inchon
(near Seoul).
• UN drove back the
North Koreans and
recaptured South
Korea. 125,000
NKPA prisoners were
taken.

5. September 15, 1950 – USA/UN Makes Landing At Inchon
• The American army
and UN forces, led by
General MacArthur,
went to Korea. It
landed at Pusan, and
made an amphibious
landing at Inchon
(near Seoul).
• UN drove back the
North Koreans and
recaptured South
Korea. 125,000
NKPA prisoners were
taken.

6. Success?
– Within weeks, the original UN goal to drive North Korea from South
Korea is achieved
Communist China led by
Mao Zedong, warned the
UN not to cross into North
Korea
Oct 1950: MacArthur/the
UN and South Korean
troops cross the 38th
parallel into North Korea
Truman & MacArthur clearly
wanted to destroy
communism in Korea

7. Success?
– Within weeks, the original UN goal to drive North Korea from South
Korea is achieved
Communist China led by
Mao Zedong, warned the
UN not to cross into North
Korea
Oct 1950: MacArthur/the
UN and South Korean
troops cross the 38th
parallel into North Korea
Truman & MacArthur clearly
wanted to destroy
communism in Korea

8. President Truman warned
MacArthur to keep the
UN forces at least 40
miles from the Yalu River.
Why?
North Korea’s capital,
Pyongyang, fell to UN
troops on October 20th.
October 26th, the first UN
troops had reached the
Yalu River. – the border
between China and North
Korea.

9. China Responds
Nov 1950: 200,000 Chinese
troops ('People's Volunteers')
attack MacArthur. They had
modern weapons supplied by
Russia.
In December, half a million
more Chinese troops entered
the war.
The Chinese drove the
Americans back. They
recaptured North Korea, and
advanced into South Korea.

11. February – March 1951: Stalemate

12. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.

13. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.

14. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.
• The Chinese admitted to losing
390,000 men dead - UN
sources put the figure at up a
million Chinese and half a
million North Koreans dead.

15. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.
• The Chinese admitted to losing
390,000 men dead - UN
sources put the figure at up a
million Chinese and half a
million North Koreans dead.

16. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.
• The Chinese admitted to losing
390,000 men dead - UN
sources put the figure at up a
million Chinese and half a
million North Koreans dead.
• The USA drove the Chinese
back, but lost 54,000 American
soldiers doing so.

17. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.
• The Chinese admitted to losing
390,000 men dead - UN
sources put the figure at up a
million Chinese and half a
million North Koreans dead.
• The USA drove the Chinese
back, but lost 54,000 American
soldiers doing so.

18. February – March 1951: Stalemate
• The USA landed more troops,
and used bombers.
• The Chinese admitted to losing
390,000 men dead - UN
sources put the figure at up a
million Chinese and half a
million North Koreans dead.
• The USA drove the Chinese
back, but lost 54,000 American
soldiers doing so.
• MacArthur reached the 38th
parallel in March 1951.

20. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.

21. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.
• In a message to House Republican leader, MacArthur expressed his
frustration with the limited war the U.S. was fighting against
communists. He publicly criticized Truman’s decisions.

22. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.
• In a message to House Republican leader, MacArthur expressed his
frustration with the limited war the U.S. was fighting against
communists. He publicly criticized Truman’s decisions.
• MacArthur wanted to use atomic weapons and invade China

23. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.
• In a message to House Republican leader, MacArthur expressed his
frustration with the limited war the U.S. was fighting against
communists. He publicly criticized Truman’s decisions.
• MacArthur wanted to use atomic weapons and invade China
• Truman wanted to negotiate a peace, avoid WWIII

24. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.
• In a message to House Republican leader, MacArthur expressed his
frustration with the limited war the U.S. was fighting against
communists. He publicly criticized Truman’s decisions.
• MacArthur wanted to use atomic weapons and invade China
• Truman wanted to negotiate a peace, avoid WWIII
• March ’51: MacArthur ignored UN orders & threatened China with the
mushroom cloud

25. • MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory." He wants to
push further. He claimed that the only way to bring about victory was
by taking the war to China.
• In a message to House Republican leader, MacArthur expressed his
frustration with the limited war the U.S. was fighting against
communists. He publicly criticized Truman’s decisions.
• MacArthur wanted to use atomic weapons and invade China
• Truman wanted to negotiate a peace, avoid WWIII
• March ’51: MacArthur ignored UN orders & threatened China with the
mushroom cloud
• So...

27. July, 1951

28. July, 1951

29. July, 1951
Peace talks begin as both sides continue fighting.

31. July 27, 1953 – Truce Ends Korean
Fighting; 38th Parallel Is Truce Line

32. July 27, 1953 – Truce Ends Korean
Fighting; 38th Parallel Is Truce Line
• In July 1953 an armistice, or truce,
was agreed upon.

33. July 27, 1953 – Truce Ends Korean
Fighting; 38th Parallel Is Truce Line
• In July 1953 an armistice, or truce,
was agreed upon.
• Korea was to remain divided at the
38th parallel.

34. July 27, 1953 – Truce Ends Korean
Fighting; 38th Parallel Is Truce Line
• In July 1953 an armistice, or truce,
was agreed upon.
• Korea was to remain divided at the
38th parallel.
• Tension still existed on either side of
the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a
neutral area in which no warfare
could be waged. These tensions
continue to the present.

36. Results of the Korean War

37. Results of the Korean War
• It cost the United States 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded.

38. Results of the Korean War
• It cost the United States 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded.
• Total UN casualties reached about 400,000 dead or wounded.

39. Results of the Korean War
• It cost the United States 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded.
• Total UN casualties reached about 400,000 dead or wounded.
• South Korea suffered close to a million civilian casualties, with
several million made homeless.

40. Results of the Korean War
• It cost the United States 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded.
• Total UN casualties reached about 400,000 dead or wounded.
• South Korea suffered close to a million civilian casualties, with
several million made homeless.
• Nearly 1½ million North Korean and Chinese soldiers were
dead or wounded.

41. Results of the Korean War
• It cost the United States 54,000 dead and 103,000 wounded.
• Total UN casualties reached about 400,000 dead or wounded.
• South Korea suffered close to a million civilian casualties, with
several million made homeless.
• Nearly 1½ million North Korean and Chinese soldiers were
dead or wounded.