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The Korean War (1950-1953): Causes, Strategies, Battles, and Consequences of "The Forgotten War"

The Korean War, often referred to as "The Forgotten War," marked a pivotal conflict in Cold War history from 1950 to 1953. Triggered by North Korea's invasion of South Korea, the war saw the involvement of U.S. and United Nations forces against Communist movements backed by China and the USSR. Key battles included Pusan, Inchon, and Chosin Reservoir, leading to significant casualties—over 1 million in total. Despite a ceasefire in 1953, the war officially remains unresolved, reinforcing global tensions and anti-Communist sentiments.

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The Korean War (1950-1953): Causes, Strategies, Battles, and Consequences of "The Forgotten War"

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  1. Korean War Chart 1950-1953 “The Forgotten War”

  2. Causes • Cold War • Communist revolution in China 1945-1949 (U.S. supported Chiang Kai-shek and Nationalists) • Japan surrender (gives northern Korea to Soviets, southern Korea to Americans) • Only 500 US soldiers in South Korea

  3. Spark • June 25, 1950 • North Korean army crosses 38th parallel into South Korea

  4. Strategy • United States • United Nations involvement • 90% of ½ million troops American • South Korean involvement (1/2 mill.) • Amphibious invasion • Surround North Korean forces • Heavy artillery • Nuclear attack?

  5. Strategy • North Korea • Communist involvement (China and USSR) • Soviet weapons, Soviet-trained military • Quick, surprise attack • Force of numbers • Over 10 million troops

  6. Important/Turning Point Battles • Initial attack (1950) • Pusan (1st U.S. victory) • Inchon (Sep. 15, 1950) – amphibious landing • Seoul (1950) • Pyongyang (1951 - Chinese counter-offensive) • Chosin Reservoir (1951) - “Attacking in other direction” (leave N. Korea) • Pork Chop Hill (July 1953) – flat by end of 6 days • Operation Ripper (get back to the 38th parallel) • Stalemate

  7. Heroes and Goats • U.S./U.N. • Douglas MacArthur • Harry Truman • Matthew Ridgway • Syngman Rhee (1st pres. of S. Korea) • Commies • Kim Il-Sung • Zhou En-lai • Mao Zedong

  8. Costs and Lives Lives • U.S. • 54,229 killed; 103, 248 wounded; 8142 missing; 3746 captured (169, 365 casualties) • UN troops • over 1 million casualties; 980,000 S. Korea • China • 392,600 (some estimates place at 900,000) • N.Korea • over 500,000 casualties • 3-4 million Korean civilian casualties

  9. Cost Dollars • U.S. • Over $60 billion (defense budget at beginning of war $12 billion) • China • $3 billion Ammo • U.S. • 3.3 million tons ($20 billion)

  10. Treaty…uh, non-treaty results • June 23, 1951 • Soviet Union asks for cease-fire • July 1953 • Armistice signed • War never officially ended • 2 Koreas (divided by 38th parallel) • Draw • Increased fear of communism • Beginning of communist “witch hunts”

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