6. What were the causes and results

of the Korean War?

Causes

•At the end of WWII – Allies divided Korea at the 38th parallel

                                     

38th Parallel• N. of line,

occupied by USSR

• S. of line, occupied by US

North Korea

•Kim Il Sung–Leader

•Communist

South Korea

•Syngman Rhee–Leader

•Democratic government

By 1949, both sides had withdrawn their troops.

•USSR supplied N. Korea with planes, tanks, $, etc.

•US left S. Korea without military supplies…

•Feared Rhee would invade N. if he had weapons

Events of the War

Phase 1: N. Korean Invasion

•N. K. Army crossed the 38th parallel

•Surprise attacked S.

Truman – containment policy

•Went to the UN

•UN forces went to South Korea

Phase 2: UN Offensive

•Gen. MacArthur surprise attacked behind enemy lines at Inchon

Phase 3: Chinese Intervention

• Chinese forces crossed the Yalu River, pushed the UN forces back behind the 38th parallel

1951—Stalemate

•Neither side was winning or losing

•MacArthur was fired by Truman for trying to expand the war & suggest atomic weapons

                             

         

Results•Ceasefire

in 1953•Remained

divided at 38th parallel

North Korea

•Built up military

•Developed heavy industry

                              

South Korea

•Rebuilt & prospered due to aid from US

•54,000 US soldiers died

•3 million Koreans dead, missing or wounded

•Korea was physically destroyed

•38th parallel heavily militarized