Korea+9321

=__**FACTS**__=

__**Causes of the War**__

1. The US and USSR both occupied Korea after WWII - US occupied democratic South Korea and USSR occupied communist North Korea. 2. In 1947, the US asked the United Nations to organize unification through a national election - but the Soviets refused to allow an election to take place. 3. In 1948, South Korea voted to become a democratic nation - The Republic of Korea, while North Korea became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - actually a communist government.


 * __The War Itself__**

1. In 1948 to 1950, Soviet and US troops were placed on the 38th parallel - the border between North and South Korea. The troops had some disagreements but it wasn't completely clear a civil war would break out until mid-1949, when the US withdrew its troops. 2. In June of 1950, North Korean and Soviet Troops invaded the mainly-agricultural nation of South Korea, which struggled to defend itself. This caused President Truman to send troops, under the control of General Douglas MacArthur - to Korea to fight off the Northern invaders. 3. The UN was actually in charge of sending troops into Korea - so it was a multinatonal army fighting for South Korea. However, when China joined North Korea, South Korea and the UN army (with US troops) started losing ground. The war seemed to stay mainly at the 38th Parallel. 4. Truce talks began in 1951. In 1953, an armistice to end the war was created.


 * __Effects or Impact of the War__**

1. The Koreas entered the 21st centruy without a clear agreement about the border, and the civil war created little change for the Koreans. 2. The Korean War had a large effect on the US and UN however. This was the first time of many that the UN would interfere in war. The US now had to take the Cold War head on and decide how much they were willing to risk out in Asia. General MacArthur was fired because he was too aggressive and President Truman feared WWIII.

=**__PHOTOS__**= == In Seoul, 4 marines carry a fellow wounded soldier on September 30th, 1950.

The Marines 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment trekking over a mountain in North Korea's Great Divide on November 10th, 1950. The terrain in North Korea was very difficult for the marines to travel on, as it was rocky, dangerous, and freezing in winter.

Troops from the 1st US Calvary Division entering the East coast of Korea on July 19th, 1950. This amphibious operation went unopposed and the troops made it inland quickly.

All of these amazing photographs were taken from here...

Link - http://www.kansas.com/2009/12/03/1082697/korean-war-images.html

=**__MAPS__**= A .gif file showing a map of the Koreas as time went on. Blue is South Korean control, and North Korean control. It stays mainly at the 38th Parallel but the 1950 Invasion into South Korea can be clearly seen early on in the short movie.

Link - __[]__

 A more detailed map of the Korean War. You can see the pie charts on the side displaying statistics about Troop Deployment, Deaths, and Civilian Deaths. The map itself shows locations of battles and attack routes. Link - __[]__ = = __**QUOTE**__ //"I will defend Korea as I would my own country—just as I would California." // - General Douglass MacArthur, speaking about 2-month-old Republic of Korea, in 1948. He is speaking to the President of South Korea, Dr. Syngman Rhee. Link - __[]__