Capitalism VS Communism

Part 1

The Korean War

Precursors to the Korean War

-KOREA HAD BEEN UNDER
JAPANESE RULE FROM THE
LATE 19TH CENTURY TO THE
END OF WWII.

-Being surrounded by the

United States and the Soviet
Union was not a pretty sight.
-Empire of Japan surrendered
on August 15, 1945; Korean
Peninsula occupied by both
Soviets and Americans.

Kim il-Sung ( )
-Engaged in anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare
during the 1930s.
-Gained favor to be leader of the established
Communist political party in the northern
sector of Korea.
-Invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950

Harry Truman
-33rd President of the United States.
-Presided over the course of the Korean War in its
entirety.
-Mobilized the U.S. military and the U.N. to
provide military aid to South Korea.

Critical Question
Of all the places, why was the Korean Peninsula the
first of many conflicts of the long standing Cold War
between the United States and the Soviet Union?
-Students go in groups of 4.
-Students discuss for 1-2 minutes.
-Students share their answers to the class.

Sides of the Korean War

South Korea

North Korea

United States
Soviet Union
United Nations
China

Background on Allies
United States = One of

Soviet Union = One of

the two countries that

rose to superpower
status post-WWII.
United Nations =
Formed in 1945 with a
goal to have nations
cooperate with each
other and to prevent
another war.

the two countries that

rose to superpower
status post-WWII.
China = Had a
continuing civil war after
WWII, then became a
Communist nation
(Peoples Republic of
China) in 1949.

Invasion of
South Korea
-June 25, 1950: North
Korea invades South
Korea past the 38th
Parallel.
-Continued till the
Battle of Pusan
Perimeter in September
1950.

*Map of North Korean

advance to South Korea
from June to September.
The light green area was the
standpoint for South
Koreans and their allies.

The U.S. and

U.N. Retaliates
-U.N. condemned the
North Koreans.
-Passed Resolution 83
in June 27, 1950.
-July 5th, 1950 Battle of
Osan; first encounter
between the United
States and North Korea.

*Map of Battle of Osan.

Battle of Pusan
Perimeter
-Breaking point of
North Korean
advancement.
-Key Strategies: U.S. Air
Force interrupted the
North Korean supply
lines.

Surprise
Attack
-Battle of Inchon
(September 1950).
-It was Gen. Douglas
MacArthurs idea to
invade, but there was
initial doubt with the
military command.
-Battle lasted four days
from September 15 to
September 19.
-Decisive victory for
U.S., permanently cut
off North Korean
supplies.

*Pink is the location of

Inchon, just bordering the
proposed border.

Iconic Image
Soldier that climbed over the wall was
Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez of the Marine
Corps.

Minutes after the footage was taken, he was

smothering a hand grenade with his body to
protect his battalion. He was rewarded the
Medal of Honor posthumously.

Breaking Point
South Korea, U.S., &

U.N. advanced into

North Korea (Sept.-Oct.
1950).

China intervened from

Oct.-Dec. 1950.
Stalemate ensured.

Stalemate 1951-1953
Constant fighting between the North and the South

along the border reached to a conclusion in 1953,

after two years of no improvement.
The signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on
July 27, 1953, formally agreed the split of the two
Korean nations to this day.

Critical Question
What lessons can be learned from the Korean War?
-Use your notes from the lecture to come up with at
least three lessons.
-Once 5-7 minutes are up, pair up with a partner and
share your material. Be sure to jot down what your
partner wrote as well.

The Korean Peninsula Today

North Korea after the Armistice

North Korean music

South Korea after the Armistice

South Korean music

Critical Question
How has the Korean Armistice Agreement affected

the two Korean nations today?

-This time, take 5-7 minutes to write your own answer
and be prepared to share it to the class.