The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. The United States led UN forces to defend South Korea and push the North Koreans back towards the Chinese border. However, China then sent troops to aid North Korea, forcing US-led forces back to the original border at the 38th parallel. An armistice was signed in 1953, leaving the division between North and South Korea unchanged.

1. Korean War
1950-1953

2. • How does this cartoon A help explain the
Marshall Plan?

3. • What does this cartoon B represent pertaining to the Cold
War? Explain. What policy issued by President Truman
helped enforce this strategy?

4. • 1949 China falls to Communists.
• After WWII, Korea was divided
along the 38th parallel.
• North of line was communism
• South of line was democratic
• June 1950 – North Korea with the
help of the Soviet Union invaded
South Korea.
• North Korea wanted to unify the
country under communist rule
• Stalin (leader of Soviets) thought
Americans would not care to
become involved
The Korean War (1950-1953)

5. • South Korean army fled
south as the North came
• S. Korean army was
inefficient and no
match.
• Truman immediately sent
U.S. troops to Korea to
resist the invasion
• Truman Doctrine:
containment policy
The Korean War (1950-1953)

6. • United Nations and U.S. troops led by General Douglas
MacArthur pushed the North Koreans to the Chinese
border.
• First time an international peace organization
successfully used military force to halt aggression
• All countries involved were in belief the Domino
Theory could happen if no action was taken.
The Korean War 1950-1953

7. The U.S. Response

8. • Chinese sent 1 million
“volunteers” to help N.
Korea as a response to U.S.
troops.
• Forced MacArthur to retreat
to 38th parallel
• Gen. MacArthur wants to
declare war on China.
• President Truman orders,
“NO!” as he feared a World
War III.
• Wanted to liberate China
from Communist control and
use atomic weapons
Response to U.S. Invasion.

9. • Do you agree with Truman and the U.N. or MacArthur’s
strategy on the Korean War? Explain.
Korean War Overview Video

10. • MacArthur criticized
Truman to a congressman
and was fired
• Because of the public
criticism hit the media
• 1952 Dwight Eisenhower
was elected president
• Pledged to end the war
• Armistice was signed
between the U.S. and
North Korea in 1953
• Agreement provided for a
“demilitarized zone” along
the 38th parallel
• Transfer of prisoners of war
(POWs)
End of the Korean War

11. • Do you think that Truman was just (right) in firing
MacArthur for violating the Truman Doctrine? Explain.
Truman fires MacArthurClick Link

13. • Korea was divided exactly like as it had been before the
invasion when the war ended.
• 38th is still today one of the most armed places in the world
• The Korean War was nicknamed “The Forgotten War”,
due to the other events that occurred in the Cold War.
• Many Americans saw zero impact of the war since there
was no change in the borders of North & South Korea.
The “Forgotten” War

14. • How has the Korean War impacted North and South Korea
today? Explain.
Impact of Korean War today (stop
at 2:12)

15. • Soviet Union launched Sputnik satellite into space. It
was the size of a beach ball.
• U.S. did NOT want the Soviet Union to get ahead of
them, therefore:
• Congress passed the National Defense Educational
Act which emphasized Math and Science in public
schools
• Created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) in 1958
• Began space race between U.S. and
Soviet Union
Sputnik 1957