Korean War - True / False

The Korean War took place between 1950 and 1953

After WW2 Korea was divided along the 17th Parallel

Kim Il Sung was the communist leader of South Korea.

Syngman Rhee, the leader of South Korea, was corrupt and unpopular.

In June 1950, North Korea launched an attack on South Korea with the support of China and the Soviet Union.

Stalin supported Kim IL Sung even if it meant war between the USSR and the US

America got involved because of their commitment to contain communism and to prevent the domino effect.

The Americans believed that the Chinese were behind the North Korean invasion.

The advance of communism in 1949 also made America more determined to contain communism.

The United States believed it could win and believed that China would not intervene.

The US were concerned the USSR would block UN action by using their veto.

Fearing a communist takeover of the North Truman immediately ordered US military support for South Korea.

The North Korean invasion was initially easily repelled by the well organised army of South Korea.

MacArthur was worried about Chinese involvement so stopped at the 38th Parallel.

General Douglas MacArthur of the US was put in charge of the UN task force and carried out a daring landing at Inchon in September 1950.

In response to UN advances China invaded Korea and drove the UN forces back below the 38th parallel.

China’s army was a professional and well equipped military machine.

Chinese forces adopted guerrilla tactics against the UN forces.

By June 1951 the war had become a stalemate along the 38th Parallel.

General MacArthur called for the use of atomic weapons to defend Korea.

Truman was replaced by Eisenhower (in 1952) who promised to escalate the war and unify Korea.

July 1953 an armistice was signed.

Stalin denied any direct involvement in the war in Korea.

Soviet support included Soviet pilots flying aircraft with Chinese or North Korean markings.

The Korean War was a huge success for the US policy of containment.