War in Korea 1950-53

The Cold War Spreads Around the Globe

History of Korea

• Japanese had occupied Korea for 35 years

• 1945 the Japanese Army Surrenders

• Soviet Union and United States divide Korea at the 38th Parallel

A Divided Korea:

North:Communist

South:Democratic

38th Parallel >

Korea in 1949

• U.S. and Soviets had withdrawn most troops

• Soviet Union felt the U.S.would not defend South Korea

• Soviets supplied North Korea with tanks, airplanes and money

North Korean Invasion

• June 1950: North Korea crosses 38th parallel

• President Truman feared a repeat of Hitler and Mussolini expansion

• The policy of containment was tested

United Nations Responds

• Sent an International Force to Korea to stop invasion

• 15 Nations Participated under General Douglas MacArthur

Momentum in War

1) North Korea Invades

2) South Korea Respondswith U.S. help

3) China Joins the War

China Changes the War

• China (Mao) sent 300,000 troops to aid North Korea

• Gen. MacArthur wanted to use nuclear weapons on Chinese cities

“We are trying to prevent a world war, not start one” President Truman

Conflict with China

• “We are trying to prevent a world war, not start one” President Truman

• Douglas MacArthur is relieved of his command

North Korea in 2006

Kim Jong Il is leader

Very poor communist country

Threatening to build Nuclear Weapons

Prosperous democratic country

Friendly with USA

South Korea Today

COLD WAR AROUND THE WORLD

GOLD: Prevented Communist ExpansionRED: Communist Expansion

Aftermath of War (1953)

• Korea remains Divided into 2 Countries– North & South

• The first major conflict of Cold War is settled without Nuclear Weapons

• The policy of containment did stop the spread of communism.

• Over 50,000 Americans Die, 5 Million Koreans

Vietnam War **1960-73**

Vietnam

• Former French colony

• Japanese invade 1940– Japanese leave Country in 1945

• French try to maintain control

Ho Chi Minh

Communist revolutionary

Fought French control after WWII

1954 French surrender

Vietnam is divided at 17% north latitude

U.S. & France set up Government in South

Ho Chi Minh rules north

Vietcong

• Communist guerrillas

• Hated the leader of south

• Encouraged by Soviet Union

• 1963 Leader of the South overthrown & executed

• Weeks later President Kennedy assassinated

President Eisenhower:

DOMINO THEORY:

If one Southeastern Nation falls, They all will fall to Communism

Vietnam: A divided Country

• U.S. begins to slowly supply “military advisors” to Vietnam in the late 1950’s.

• 1964- 30,000

• 1970- 450,000

Gulf of Tonkin 1964

The 1960’s

Vietnamization

• President Nixon begins withdrawing troops in 1969

End Result

• 1.5 million Vietnamese die

• 58,000 Americans die

• Vietnam becomes one country (1976) with a communist government