CW+Korea




 * It's known as "The Forgotten War", but all Americans should learn about it and remember it ... and that's where you can help. Your task is to create a single page with everything important that Americans should know about the Korean War. Your page should include basic information about the causes of the war, the MAJOR events during the war, and (most importantly) the overall impact of the war. You should also include a section with a few images, maps, and possibly an embedded video. Excellent quotes never hurt as well! **

CAUSES -After WW2, the USSR occupied North Korea (above the 38th parallel) and the US occupied South Korea (below the 38 parallel). -Two governments formed from this: the People's Democratic Republic of Korea, which is communist, and Republic of Korea, which is democratic. -North Korea decides to unite the two Koreas (as they had been united since the 7th century) and invades South Korea. -US gets involved because of containment policy.

MAJOR EVENTS

1) the 38th Parallel had been established as the dividing line between North and South Korean since 1948.

2) On January 12, 1950, United States Secretary of State Dean Acheson said America’s Pacific defense perimeter was made up of the Aleutians, Ryukyu, Japan, and the Philippines, implying that America might not fight over Korea. Acheson said Korea’s defense would be the responsibility of the United Nations.

3) By 1950 Stalin gave Kim IL Sung the nod to go ahead with an invasion into south Korea, Kim also told China/Mao about the attack and initially turned down assistance from the Chinese

4) North Korea saw tremendous success at first, the South Koreans and Americans got pushed back to a small area at the southwestern tip of Korea named Pusan which was only about 10% of all Korea.

5) General MacArthur was put in charge of U.N. forces in Korea and planned to attack the North Koreans behind their lines at Inchon. This landing was called Operation Chromium and was executed on Sept. 15, 1950. It was a huge success and the North Koreans were cut off from their border and trapped between MacArthur's forces and the forces around Pusan.

6)After the landing at Inchon, the North fled back across the 38th Parallel. MacArthur argued for an invasion of North Korea to stamp out communism their all together.

7) When U.N. forces moved into North Korea, fighting took place near the Chinese border. Kim then asked for Chinese help. By Nov 1950 Chinese and American/U.N. troops were engaging.

8) 1951, Chinese and North Korean troops had again moved back south across the 38th Parallel

9) The sides basically fought to a stalemate, changing territory throughout 1950-July 1953 when a cease fire (not peace treaty) was agreed and the old lines were reestablished. 

IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE

The Korean War was able to bring diverse effects to not only Korea but the World. It was one of the most destructive and brought economic and social damage to Korea. However, the War was able to boost the economy of both Japan and the US. The Korean War also legitimized the United Nations and led to further expansion of military power. The Korean War also showed the growing anti-communist feeling across the US. The Korean War brought both positive and negative effects to the world.

MEDIA Korea did not receive much media attention in the US as the US was tired of war from WW2. This is one of the reasons why it is known as "the forgotten war" as it not much was accomplished. Many people know of it because of a TV sow in the 1970s called "M*A*S*H" which took place in a field hospital is South Korea. Also, technically, the war never ended- North Korea recently ended the armistice that ended the war over fifty years ago.

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