Modern History - Conflict in Korea

What differences are there between capitalism and communism (Disclaimer: this is what the school is telling you, not what is necessarily true)?

• Private ownership vs state ownership

• Style of government

• Wealth disparities vs shared wealth

• Limited products for use vs unlimited for profit

Why was Korea divided after WW2?

The northern half of the region had Japanese soldiers who surrendered to the Soviets while the soldiers in the south surrendered to American forces

What happened to China around this time?

• Civil war broke out between communists and capitalists, with the US supporting the capitalist side

• In 1949, the communists won the war

• The US refused to recognise the new leadership of China, so Soviet leader Stalin boycotted the meetings

What happened throughout 1950 in Korea?

• Initially Stalin did not support an invasion of the South

• When he gained an atomic bomb in spring, he changed his mind, giving permission in April and telling China to be ready

• On the 25th June, the North invaded the South and on the 27th, US President Truman pledged troops

What happened at the UN following the invasion?

• Vote to suport the South, 16 UN states send support

• The US sent 60 battleships, 300 aircraft and 40,000 soldiers with the forces led by Douglas MacArthur of the US

What happened to South Korea after the invasion?

The North quickly takes Seoul and most of the country but is pushed back by Western landings to the border with China, who then intervene

What happens throughout the rest of the war?

• 25th October 1950 - Chinese soldiers take over, MacArthur calls for them to be nuked

• 11th April 1951 - MacArthur is fired for above statements, differences with Truman over goals and personal shortcomings

• July 1951 - Peace talks attempted

• November 1952 - Dwight D Eisenhower becomes President of US

• March 1953 - Stalin dies

• 27th July 1953 - An armistice divides Korea and establishes the demilitarised zone

How many deaths were there by different groups in the war?

USA: 36,000 soldiers die

South Korea: 200,000 soldiers and over a million civilians

North Korea: 400,000 soldiers, 600,000 civilians

China: 600,000 soldiers

Non-US UN forces: 3,000