As the Soviets continue to roll though the West European nations, Communist ties in China and Korea began to rise. A Civil War in China essentially split the nation into Communism and Nationalism, where leader Mao Zedong favored Communism and Chiang Kai-Shek favored Nationalism. Resulting from World War II, Korea had been occupied in the north by the Soviet Union and in the south by the United States. The Soviets intentions initially were to set up a Communist government in North Korea while expanding to take over the entire Korean landmass. Do achieve this feat, the Soviets tried as much as possible to avoid the United Nations from intervening the war. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea in North Korea soon began developing military strength to prepare for an invasion. This is when the Cold War officially heats up!
By the time North Korea invaded South Korea, the South Koreans held limited military supply and men as well. The United States tried to attempt to help aid with men, but the powerful force of North Korea pushed the army into Seoul, the South Korean capital. To defend a massive slaughtering of thousands of soldiers, General Douglas MacArthur launch a counterattack by bringing in another army behind enemy lines. There was no way out from MacArthur's big plan and the American/South Korean army won. However, General MacArthur got a little big-headed and asked the Truman Administration to completely destroy China. President Truman eventually fired the general because of this. As and effect, Truman hired General Omar Bradley to carry on in China. Finally in 1953, the battling nations settled for stalemate, or an agreement among them. An armistice was signed by the United States, China, and North Korea. Although, South Korea chose not to sign, leaving the nations split into North and South today.
The Korean War is one of the most ignored wars in American history. Even though citizens today dominantly know World War II and the war in Vietnam, the Korean War is the single most bloodiest and brutal battles mostly forgotten. Around 34,000 Americans in three years died, while in Vietnam, it took ten years for 58,000 Americans to lose their lives. This war should be considered the "breaking point" for most nations during the Cold War.
By the time North Korea invaded South Korea, the South Koreans held limited military supply and men as well. The United States tried to attempt to help aid with men, but the powerful force of North Korea pushed the army into Seoul, the South Korean capital. To defend a massive slaughtering of thousands of soldiers, General Douglas MacArthur launch a counterattack by bringing in another army behind enemy lines. There was no way out from MacArthur's big plan and the American/South Korean army won. However, General MacArthur got a little big-headed and asked the Truman Administration to completely destroy China. President Truman eventually fired the general because of this. As and effect, Truman hired General Omar Bradley to carry on in China. Finally in 1953, the battling nations settled for stalemate, or an agreement among them. An armistice was signed by the United States, China, and North Korea. Although, South Korea chose not to sign, leaving the nations split into North and South today.
The Korean War is one of the most ignored wars in American history. Even though citizens today dominantly know World War II and the war in Vietnam, the Korean War is the single most bloodiest and brutal battles mostly forgotten. Around 34,000 Americans in three years died, while in Vietnam, it took ten years for 58,000 Americans to lose their lives. This war should be considered the "breaking point" for most nations during the Cold War.
No comments:
Post a Comment