North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 with support from the Soviet Union. In response, South Korea requested assistance from the United Nations, who sent troops from 15 countries to push back North Korean forces almost to the Chinese border. However, China then sent 300,000 troops in support of North Korea, recapturing the capital city of Seoul. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur proposed using nuclear weapons but was removed from command after calling for expanding the war against China. An armistice was finally signed in 1953, ending direct fighting but leaving the peninsula divided.

1. andrew-taylor.weebly.com | @teamHISTORY | Unit 9d

4. 1950: North
Koreans invade
South Korea
with Soviet
support
South Korea
requests UN
assistance; 15
nations send
troops
UN troops push
North Koreans
almost to
Chinese border,
Chinese send
300,000 troops
against UN
forces and
capture Seoul
MacArthur
calls for nuclear
attack and is
removed from
command
In 1953, cease
fire signed
#13

5. Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh —
Vietnamese
nationalist,
later Communist
In 1954, French
surrender to
Vietnamese after
major defeat
Americans take
up cause against
Communism #28

6. #29

7. #30

20. A Viet Cong prisoner awaits interrogation at the A-109
Special Forces Detachment in Thuong Duc, Vietnam.

22. Billy Joel

23. Based on what you heard in the song, imagine you are writing a letter home
to your parents about your tour in Vietnam.