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Cairo Conference
Cairo ConferenceCairo conference 1943- Korea will be free and independent once the Japanese are defeated. -
Cairo Declaration remembers enslavement of Korean civilians
Franklin Roosevelt of the United States, Winston Churchill of Britain, and Chiang Kai-shek of China had proclaimed in their Cairo Declaration that they were mindful of the enslavement of the people of Korea and that they were determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent. -
Yalta Conference
Yalta ConferenceChina, US, USSR, Great Britain would help Korea get back on it's feet. China entered because Manchuria was stolen from them by Japan. Talked about what will rule Japanese occupation. Korea would become independent. REMEMBER the Allied Powers of US, France, Britain, China vs Axis Power of Japan, Germany, Italy. -
Korea begging for indpendence
The Provisional Government of Korea asked the United Nations for recognition and membership. -
Germany and Soviet Union agree to help Korea gain indpendence
In Potsdam, Germany on July 26, 1945 they reaffirmed this, and on August 9 Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union agreed. -
Event occuring directly after General Order Number One
The Soviet Union had declared war on Japan, and after the surrender they moved troops into northern Korea, occupying P’yongyang, Hamhung, and other cities. Governor-General Abe Nobuyuki asked the former editor Song Chin-u to head an interim government to maintain order and protect the Japanese, but he refused. Yo Un-hyong accepted the position but demanded the release of political prisoners. -
Japan surrenders to the Allies
Japan surrendered to the Allies on August 15, and Korea was suddenly liberated from 41 years of Japanese domination including 35 years of torture. On the same day US President Harry Truman spoke to Generalissimo Stalin a proposal that Japanese troops surrender to the Red Army north of the 38th parallel and to the American army south of that latitude line. Stalin sent back his message of acceptance the next day. -
History before Korean War part 3
Syngman Rhee starting to riseAfter Japanese colonization from 1910- 1945, Koreans that were friendly and at the same time those who were friendly and weren't damaged were the targets. The lower class were thinking how to punish the Japanese friendly Koreans. Poverty arose and Korean Peoples' Republic of Korea by Yo Un Hong and Captalism introduced by Syngman Rhee were in the discussion. Syngman Rhee was sympathetic twoards socialism and wanted to contribute democracy. As the US heard of this the US joined the South. -
General Order Number One and 38th parallel
On the same day US President Harry Truman cabled to Generalissimo Stalin a proposal that Japanese troops surrender to the Red Army north of the 38th parallel and to the American army south of that latitude line. Stalin sent back his message of acceptance the next day, and this was published in General Douglas MacArthur’s famous General Order Number One. The Americans believed that this was only temporary until a Korean government was elected. -
History before Korean War part 5
Hidden stories of Korean WarYo Un Hong failed to bring Korean People's Republic of Korea together. Gap of wealthy and poor significantly grew. Socialism was Syngman Rhee's suggestion. Socialism meant little of private ownership. In fact South Korea now is more Socialist than Communist. Koreans assumed Korean People's Republic would become the new government. Third phase of Japanese occupation consisted of comfort women, changing Korean culture entirely to Japanese culture. The US said Korea would be given independence -
History before Korean War part 6
Japan surrenders and Korea's independenceKorea would be independent. Japan wasn't treated as harshly as Germany because of the relations with the US. Japan was ahead of Korea and China in terms of economy. Orthodox School blamed USSR, Revisionist School blamed US for turning a civil war into a Cold War conflict. Post revisionists stated Soviet gave North permission to invade. It's complicated. If new document arises than perspective will be changed. Other countries beside the Allied Powers and Axis chose their sides.Theweak stayed weak -
History before Korean War part 4
US enters the warIn fear of losing another country to Communism the US supported Capitalism and brought Anti Communist leaders to South Korea. While the USSR brought Communism in the North. Since the US didn't want want a war to occur created the 38th parallel. The US claimed this divison would be temporary but 38th parallel remains. The USSR wanted Communism so they could rule all of Korea. Koreans celebrated the freedom after Japanese occupation was over. Syngman Rhee was part of the Korean People's Republic. -
History before Korean War part 2
USSR led by StalinStalin and Roosevelt both seeked to bring Communism and Capitalism across the globe. While some countries were already democratic some shifted to Capitalism after the U.S.s influence hit them. The USSR mainly achieved bringing Communism to the Asian countries. As the USSR influenced China, the US became worried Korea would turn Communist. In an effort to prevent this the Americans brought their troops to the South. While USSR came to the North. Thus DMZ was created in 1948 -
History before Korean War
The Cold WarComfort WomenOf course it's important to note that in 1910- 1945 Korea was ruled by Japan. Koreans were treated harshly but at that time North and South were united as one. 5 years after WW2 the Korean War broke out. During this time two powerful government systems were in place. One was Capitalism that was influenced by the Americans. The other was Communism recognized by the USSR. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) Franklin D Roosevelt president of the United States and Joseph Stalin president of USSR -
Significant phases after WW2
Communism lasted long but not smoothly. The US created the first atomic weapon which every country knew about. Countries feared the US and envied. Mao wins the war in China. Kennedy believed China and USSR would become great friends. Coincidentially China and USSR goes to war more often than the US and Soviet Union. Soviet build nuclear weapons. The US fears this. North invasion to South worries the US because a year before that China became Communist. -
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North and South Korea transition
Syngman RheeIn South Conservative Nationalists take over. Kim Gu and Syngman Rhee were leaders of Conservative Nationalists. Both return from being held in USSR prison. They served as part of Korean government while being imprisoned. Own ideology of both individuals was their objective. US tries moderate government around Kim Gyu Sik then Syngman Rhee. With the help of US Syngman Rhee was elected July 24, 1948. Syngman Rhee had extreme political view. Kim Gyu Sik too. Conservative was friendlier to wealthy -
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US point of view
Prevent future wars, prevention of spread of Soviet Union to gain control and power in East Asia, prevent spread of Communism by spreading Capitalism, receiving Korea's support. -
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USSR point of view
Spread ideas of Communism, easy gain over nearby Asian countries, territorial exapnsion to Eastern Asia, receive resources, easy route to Japan for tradiing purposes -
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North and South Korea transition part 2
The conservatives said and believed that the more money you put into the the wealthy, the lower class see significant boosts economically. The wealthy will create jobs because they'll need support. That meant people would have jobs no matter what. The government will be able to manipulate the region by sending taxes. While Liberal is in favor of government support meaning, the lower class get benefits and support more. -
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US and Syngman Rhee discuss
The better connection you had with other people the higher chance the person got to be elected. The US didn't like Rhee but Rhee found a way to be double faced. Rhee said something great about Democracy and somewhere else he said something else so the USSR wouldn't get furious. That was crucial in order for US aid. The US at first had no clear plan out for South Korea. There were Nationalists, Conservatives, as the biggest political idea. Kim and Gu were most important. -
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US and Syngman Rhee discuss part 3
US chose Rhee because he was the strongest anti Communist at the time. Another factor why the US contributed before the Korean war was because China (the largest population to date) became Communist. Since Korea was China's little brother the US feared South Korea would rely on Communism. Geographically the liberal stayed on the left and conservatives stayed on the right side of South Korea. Rhee's leadership didn't go by unnoticed. -
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USSR and North Korea collaborate
The Soviets entered the North. Communism consumes North Korea because the Soviets invaded North Korea and have taken control of them. Soon after Communism is revealed dictatorship happens and that leader was Kim Il Sung. North Korea developed military much quicker than the South. At first the Soviets allowed themselves to openly talk with non Communists such as Cho Man Sik and conservative Christian nationalists. However the non Communists impact were strong and so they were punished. -
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USSR and North Korea collaborate part 2
Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans fled North Korea because they felt their religion, culture, life style, economics couldn't match Communism and dictatorship. These escapees came to South Korea, China or Japan. North Korea from that time brutally suppressed uprisings. -
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Moscow Accords
US and USSR announced Korea will have a chance to be a trusteeship for 5 years (receive help from the powerhouses and get to freely elect their government) But most Koreans opposed this rule because Koreans that wanted to be leaders but knew they wouldn't be if it was this way were against it. Communists however enjoyed this rule. Some people just didn't want to wait 5 years for this to occur. Some people just didn't want others to participate. -
Significant phases after WW2 part 2
Interestingly South Korea would've transformed into Communism if the US didn't step in the war. The transition will break North Korea eventually and North Korea will collapse. Communist government as we know is an inefficient government. -
North Korea's view
Kim Il SungKim Il Sung told Mao Zedong dictator of China that he would invade South Korea. Mao asked if Kim Il Sung would need assistance but Kim believed it to be an easy victory and denied.
As the days progressed small attacks became bigger and were more serious plots to take over. When years went by territorial gains were seen. -
Korean War
Start of Korean WarThe North Koreans invaded South Korea during midnight, Sunday. The North Koreans received permission from the Russians to invade South Korea. The South Koreans were startled because 75,000 soldiers came to South Korea territory without any warning. Much of the property was destroyed and at least double digit thousands of people suffered or died. Kim Il Sung was North Korea's dictator and Seung Man Rhee was South Korea's president. The Americans immediately came to the rescue with General McArthu -
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Incheon invasion
Incheon landingAs North Korean soldiers advanced and had early success the Americans and South Koreans would quickly try to change things around. So General Mc Arthur planned attacks and organized them in Busan. General Mc Arthur first released his huge landing which was Operation Chromite that was to attack North Korea from behind their lines at Incheon. The North Koreans knew this but believed move was too risky for the Americans and South Koreans. The invasion worked and the North Korean troops found itself -
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Weapons used
North Korea tries to gain Seoul and South try to take it backThe North Koreans had 150,000- 250,000 soldiers by mid 1950s. There were dozens of tanks, over a little than 200 planes, dozens of ships. With that amount North Korea was a superior match against South Korea. There were hundreds of thousands of South Korean soldiers and American soldiers that contributed during the 1950. Small areas of South Korea were being taken over and the South Korean and American troops took over small parts in North Korea as well. -
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The Pusan Perimeter
One of the first major engagements in Korean War. The Battle of Pusan Perimeter was a large scale battle between the UN and North Korean forces. An army of 140,000 UN troops, having been pushed to the brink of defeat, were rallied to make a final stand against the invading North Korean army, 98,000 men strong.UN forces, having been repeatedly defeated by the advancing North Korean People's Army, were forced back to the "Pusan Perimeter", a 140-mile (230 km) defensive line around an area on the -
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Pusan Perimeter
southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula that included the port of Pusan. The UN troops, consisting mostly of forces of the Republic of Korea Army (ROK), United States Army (US), and British Army, mounted a last stand around the perimeter, fighting off repeated North Korean attacks for six weeks as they were engaged around the cities of Taegu, Masan, and P'ohang, and the Naktong River. The massive North Korean assaults were unsuccessful in forcing the United Nations troops back further -
Incheon Invasion more info
General Mcarthur wanted nuclear test on North KoreaGeneral Mc Arthur was contemplating on whether to control North Korea completely so that Communism would be obliterated in North Korea. -
Incehon invasion more info
Inchon invasionThe North Korean troops were trapped in between the American troops and forces around Busan. This was huge because it led to more invasions and surprises which I'll tell later. As soon as the North Koreans heard news of this the North fled the 38th parallel. (line that divides South Korea and North Korea) General Mc Arthur was nervous North Korea wouldn't give up and this was only a temporariy win for the UN forces and South Korea. General Mc Arthur was contemplating whether to defeat North -
Chinese get involved
China entersKim Il Sung asked China's assistance and China agreed to help. This was the climax because another strong country came along the war. -
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Overall results
China battle against the USAs a result the American, South Korean and Chinese, North Korean troops exchanged bombings, territorial gains, mass kills over another in the North side and South side. During this time General Mc Arthur was scolded often for his stubborn tactics and invasions that weren't part of the agreement with the UN. No major gains were won so in the end both sides agreed to a cease fire. The 38th parallel was re established. Mc Arthur was left as a hero but President Truman relieved Mc Arthur for not -
Overall result
General McArthur resign speechGeneral McArthur was relieved for not obeying Harry S Truman's orders. This topic eventually became a controversial topic in the history books. However Mc Arthur has stated his resign publically and Truman told of the real reasons behind his decision. No hard feelings were dealt apparently between the two men. South Korea and North Korea never unified and are still divided. Also the U.S. and Russia's relationship never quite fully healed after this bitter agreement.
