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Questions and Answers
What event triggered the start of the Korean War?
What event triggered the start of the Korean War?
Which war is often referred to in the U.S. as 'the Forgotten War' due to its lack of attention compared to other conflicts?
Which war is often referred to in the U.S. as 'the Forgotten War' due to its lack of attention compared to other conflicts?
What was a major concern for American officials during the Korean War?
What was a major concern for American officials during the Korean War?
Which battle in 331 B.C.E. opened Asia to Alexander the Great's invasions?
Which battle in 331 B.C.E. opened Asia to Alexander the Great's invasions?
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Which two conflicts are highlighted as modern wars in Asia that involved heavy involvement from the United States?
Which two conflicts are highlighted as modern wars in Asia that involved heavy involvement from the United States?
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What was the outcome of the Korean War in terms of human losses?
What was the outcome of the Korean War in terms of human losses?
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What action did American troops take in response to the Korean War?
What action did American troops take in response to the Korean War?
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What was a significant effect of the Korean War on the Korean peninsula?
What was a significant effect of the Korean War on the Korean peninsula?
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What was the pivotal decision made by aides at the State Department regarding Korea in August 1945?
What was the pivotal decision made by aides at the State Department regarding Korea in August 1945?
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Which dictator in the south of Korea received reluctant support from the American government?
Which dictator in the south of Korea received reluctant support from the American government?
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Why did American officials consider the North Korean invasion alarming?
Why did American officials consider the North Korean invasion alarming?
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What was NSC-68's recommendation regarding communist expansionism?
What was NSC-68's recommendation regarding communist expansionism?
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What did President Harry Truman believe would happen if Korea was 'let down'?
What did President Harry Truman believe would happen if Korea was 'let down'?
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What was a common occurrence between the North and South Korean soldiers before the war officially began?
What was a common occurrence between the North and South Korean soldiers before the war officially began?
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What role did the television series 'MAS*H' play regarding the Korean War?
What role did the television series 'MAS*H' play regarding the Korean War?
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What geopolitical struggle did the fight on the Korean peninsula symbolize?
What geopolitical struggle did the fight on the Korean peninsula symbolize?
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What was the initial aim of the United States in the Korean War?
What was the initial aim of the United States in the Korean War?
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What effect did the hot and dry summer have on American soldiers in Korea?
What effect did the hot and dry summer have on American soldiers in Korea?
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What strategy did General MacArthur advocate during the Korean War?
What strategy did General MacArthur advocate during the Korean War?
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What was the outcome of the Inch'on Landing?
What was the outcome of the Inch'on Landing?
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What were President Truman's concerns about escalating the war against China?
What were President Truman's concerns about escalating the war against China?
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Which statement best describes the state of Rhee's forces compared to the North Korean army?
Which statement best describes the state of Rhee's forces compared to the North Korean army?
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What did General MacArthur believe was synonymous with 'appeasement'?
What did General MacArthur believe was synonymous with 'appeasement'?
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What did Mao Zedong's intervention in the Korean War signify?
What did Mao Zedong's intervention in the Korean War signify?
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Study Notes
The Korean War
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1950 - The Korean War begins with the invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces, marking the first military action of the Cold War.
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1950 - U.S. troops enter the war on the side of South Korea, viewing it as a battle against international communism.
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1953 - The Korean War ends with an armistice after heavy casualties on both sides.
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5 million soldiers and civilians died in the Korean War, referred to in the U.S. as the "Forgotten War."
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The Korean peninsula remains divided to this day.
North vs. South Korea
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Korea was part of the Japanese Empire until World War II, when it was divided by the U.S. and Soviets along the 38th parallel.
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The U.S. occupied the south and the Soviet Union occupied the north.
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The popular culture representation of the Korean War is the TV series "M*A*S*H," set in a field hospital in South Korea.
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After the division, two new states formed; Syngman Rhee's anti-communist South Korea and Kim Il Sung's communist North Korea.
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Border skirmishes were common between the two, with nearly 10,000 soldiers killed before the official start of the war.
The Korean War and the Cold War
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The North Korean Invasion was seen as the first step in a communist campaign for global domination.
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The U.S. adopted the "containment" policy, using military force to counter communist expansionism.
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The Korean War symbolized the global struggle between communism and democracy during the Cold War.
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The initial U.S. strategy was defensive but proved unsuccessful due to the disciplined and well-equipped North Korean army and the poor state of South Korea's army.
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Challenges faced by American soldiers included excessive heat, poor water quality, and exposure to diseases.
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The strategy shifted to an offensive one, aimed at liberating North Korea from communist rule. This was initially successful, with the Inch'on Landing pushing North Korea back to their side of the 38th parallel.
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The U.S. pushing north towards the Yalu River triggered China's involvement, as they feared an attack on their territory.
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Chinese leader Mao Zedong sent troops to North Korea and warned the US to avoid the Yalu boundary.
"No Substitute for Victory"
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The U.S. was determined to avoid a full-scale war with China due to fears of Soviet action in Europe and the use of nuclear weapons.
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General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the Asian Theater, was in favor of total war against China, seeing anything less as appeasement.
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MacArthur's letter to a Republican Congressman, expressing his opposition to anything less than complete victory over communism, led to his dismissal.
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Description
Explore the key events and impacts of the Korean War, starting from the invasion of South Korea in 1950 to the armistice in 1953. This quiz covers major players, decisions, and the sociopolitical repercussions that continue to shape the Korean peninsula today. Test your knowledge about this significant conflict often referred to as the 'Forgotten War.'