Asia 1.2 The Development of the Korean War

Question 1

How did the Korean Stalemate develop in September 1950? How did they take the North Koreans by surprise? (AS 1.2)

Answer 1

• 14th: NK push SK back to Pusan.
• 15th: UN attack Inchon by surprise. Quickly captured, and they push for Seoul. Meanwhile, Troops near Pusan move north. They surround the NKs.
• By October, they had pushed them back behind the 38th parallel.

Question 2

What did China say after SK/UN pushed NK far back? How did MacArthur respond? When did China decide to join? (AS 1.2)

Answer 2

• China warned if they pushed further, they would join NKs side.
• MacArthur told Truman they wouldn’t.
• When SK forces hit the Yalu River.

Question 3

How many Chinese troops joined NK, armed with who’s weapons? When did UN retake Seoul from them and hit a stalemate? (AS 1.2)

Answer 3

• 200,000 troops, armed with new USSR tanks and planes, retook Seoul.
• UN retook Seoul in March 1951, hitting a stalemate at the 38th parallel.

Question 4

How did Truman and MacArthur feel about the war? What happened because of this? (AS 1.2)

Answer 4

• Truman was satisfied with the containment, and scared of USSR involvement and nuclear war.
• MacArthur sent in troops and demanded a Chinese surrender.
• Truman fired MacArthur (known war hero), causing a public outcry.