The Korean War 1950-1953

After the war Korea had been taken of Japan. It was split into two. North Korea was to be under Soviet control and South Korea under the Americans. The division was the 38th parallel. This division was only to be temporary. Free elections would resolve what all of Korea wanted. However in the atmosphere of cold war politics this really was not going to happen.

The communist leader, Kim Il-sung controlled the North and Syngman Rhee, the South.

In June 1950 Kim Il-sung sent troops to invade the South. They almost managed to take the whole country (see map).

The UNO (United Nations Organisation) was asked to give its support. This it did. However, as 85% of the force to get the North Koreans out of the South were American and the American general McArthur was in charge, many said it was an American front. 

McArthur was a man who had views that made Truman look liberal!

Because the Russians had refused to attend UNO meetings due to the refusal of the UNO to recognise Communist China, their veto (right to use their vote to stop the use of UN troops) was not used.

McArthur successfully repelled the North Koreans but then did not stop at the 38th parallel. Despite orders to stop he continued well into the heart of North Korea; clearly outside the UN rights. Even President Truman had no control over him and when McArthur advocated the use of nuclear weapons on China the situation was inflamed.

China now sent in 200,000 men and pushed the UNO forces back well into the South of Korea. Only the sacking of McArthur by Truman and some strong resistance by the UNO stopped it becoming a rout. 

By 1953 a settlement was reached the border was to be kept at the 38th parallel. 5 million had died in a three year war for a border that remained as it was in 1950!

What did Korea say about the UNO?

FOR:- 

1) The UNO was prepared to take aggressors on.

2) The UNO did successfully meet its objectives.

AGAINST:-

1) The UNO looked very much like the tool of the USA.

2) It had allowed itself to be involved in USA political disagreements.

3) It had not really settled anything that had caused the war in the first place.

The cartoon shows how people did not feel Truman was big enough to take McArthurs hat when he sacked him.