The Korean War

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  • The Korean War 1950-1953
    • Why did the US get involved?
      • Fear of communist expansion
        • Things getting better for communists
      • Domestic policies
        • McCarthyism/ Republicans attack on Truman
      • Truman's desire to prove  collective security in UN
    • PHASE 1 June - Sept '50
      • N.K invades S.K with 135,000 men (25 June)
        • RoK poorly equipped
      • All of S.K taken by end of July save for small area around Pusan
      • 27 June UN oppose N.K
        • Truman sends troops from JPN
      • United Nations Command (UNC) given to Mac (however he reports straight to Truman not UN)
        • American war? UN just a tool for US?
      • US go in confident but end up experiencing high casualties
        • Battle of Taejon (Aug '50) 1 in 3 US dead, wounded or missing
    • PHASE 2  'Rollback' to Yalu River Sept - Oct '50
      • US/UN/RoK managed to take back majority of S.K (after Inchon landing)
        • Inchon landing 15 Sept '50
      • Change in policy - continue beyond 38th parallel
        • US go their way with UN as they used in General Assembly which USSR weren't in
          • UN resolution 7 Oct (basically allow Mac into N.K)
      • Reasons for this change in policy
        • Change in policy - continue beyond 38th parallel
          • US go their way with UN as they used in General Assembly which USSR weren't in
            • UN resolution 7 Oct (basically allow Mac into N.K)
        • Revenge on N.K - Rhee wants to unify and be leader
        • Mac overconfident (doesn't think CHN will intervene)
        • Hawks (e.g. Mac, Rusk) have more influence on Truman
          • Mac overconfident (doesn't think CHN will intervene)
        • US shown to be hard on Communism
          • Republican rumours/ McCarthyism
      • NSC 81 advices Mac not to send US troops near Yalu (don't antagonise Chinese)
        • Mac ignores and places troops near Yalu (doesn't think China will join)
    • PHASE 3 Chinese intervention Oct '50 - Jan'51
      • Why do CHN enter war?
        • Fear US would invade
          • Mac ignored orders
          • US 7th fleet in Taiwan
        • They want to border with Communist state
        • Mao want to be Asian Communist leader
        • Had enough men
      • 14 Oct CHN begin to cross river
        • March through night (not noticed)
      • 25 Oct full divisions cross river (day after US troops are placed there)
      • US/UN/RoK outnumbered (and outskilled - Chinese tough)
        • 27 Nov Chosin Reseviour - The Great Bugout (RETREAT)
      • Mac fails
        • Wants to bomb bridges (only 4 are and river freezes)
        • Says they'll be home by Xmas (nope)
        • Broadcasts plans on army radio - Chinese able to tune in
      • 4 Jan forces far back as Seoul
    • PHASE 4 Stalemate '51 - '53
      • Mac's dismissal
        • Sacked 11 April '51
        • Keeps disobeying and ignoring Truman
          • Disses his Containment policy
            • Writes letter to Republican complain (last straw)
        • Truman needs to keep limited war (vs Mac's preferred total war)
        • Makes speech threatening CHN with war March '51 (Truman needs to prevent WW3)
      • US try and break N.K (increase military operation after -->
        • 4 Jan forces far back as Seoul
        • Summer '52 increased air attacks (use of napalm)
          • PHASE 4 Stalemate '51 - '53
            • Mac's dismissal
              • Sacked 11 April '51
              • Keeps disobeying and ignoring Truman
                • Disses his Containment policy
                  • Writes letter to Republican complain (last straw)
              • Truman needs to keep limited war (vs Mac's preferred total war)
              • Makes speech threatening CHN with war March '51 (Truman needs to prevent WW3)
            • US try and break N.K (increase military operation after -->
              • Summer '52 increased air attacks (use of napalm)
              • War ends 27 July '53 with peace treaty (Rhee refuses to sign)
                • Change of leaders (Eisenhower president, Stalin dead)
                • PoW issue resolved - US hand over 75,000 June '53
                • Financially unsustainable
                • Diplomacy of Kennan and Malik bring countries together
              • Mao calls for cease fire (doesn't happen as US call them aggressors)
                • Mao wants seat on UN council and expulsion of Taiwan
                • 27 states oppose US declaration (including GBR and FRN)
              • Peace unable to be reached as all leaders don't want to 'lose face'
                • Also matter of PoWs that faced bad treatment on both sides
                  • US used PoWs for propaganda (give home to those who don't want to return to communist state)
                • Stalin want to keep US occupied in Asia
        • War ends 27 July '53 with peace treaty (Rhee refuses to sign)
          • Change of leaders (Eisenhower president, Stalin dead)
          • PoW issue resolved - US hand over 75,000 June '53
          • Financially unsustainable
          • Diplomacy of Kennan and Malik bring countries together
        • Mao calls for cease fire (doesn't happen as US call them aggressors)
          • Mao wants seat on UN council and expulsion of Taiwan
          • 27 states oppose US declaration (including GBR and FRN)
        • Peace unable to be reached as all leaders don't want to 'lose face'
          • Also matter of PoWs that faced bad treatment on both sides
            • US used PoWs for propaganda (give home to those who don't want to return to communist state)
          • Stalin want to keep US occupied in Asia

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