Korean War

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The '''Korean War''' (25 June 1950 - 27 July 1953) was the first shooting war of the [[Cold War]], and has often been called "The Forgotten War" by many of the Americans who fought in it.  
 
The '''Korean War''' (25 June 1950 - 27 July 1953) was the first shooting war of the [[Cold War]], and has often been called "The Forgotten War" by many of the Americans who fought in it.  
  
Although it was fought on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]], it was actually more of a test run for future wars like the [[Vietnam War]] -- i.e., it was a dick-swinging match between the [[communist]] governments of [[China]] and the [[Soviet Union]], and the [[capitalist]] countries operating under the aegis of the [[United Nations]] (most notably the [[United States]]).  It started in 1950 when North Korean soldiers stormed across the dividing line of the 38th parallel.  The United States convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and got a resolution allowing for the US to fight against the communist forces (the Soviet Union could have vetoed the resolution, however, they were boycotting the UN at the time and Security Council Resolution 84 passed)<ref>http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f1e85c.html The text of UNSC 84</ref>.  In the early stages of the war North Korean soldiers rapidly advanced south and even captured Seoul. The tide of the war changed when Douglas MacArthur led an amphibious assault at Incheon. The UN forces managed to push the North Koreans all the way to the Chinese border. MacArthur began announcing his plans to push into China and use nuclear weapons to deal with Chinese numerical superiority.  However, President Harry Truman did not believe that it was worth expanding the war into China (citing the Security Council resolution which only gave them authorization to fight in Korea).  MacArthur, however, did not want to listen to orders and was relieved of command. The Chinese, believed that an American invasion was imminent and and launched a surprise attack against the UN forces.  Eventually the situation stabilized along the 38th Parallel and a bloody stalemate set in.  In 1953 the two sides met at Panmunjom to accept a fragile ceasefire.
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Although it was fought on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]], it was actually more of a test run for future wars like the [[Vietnam War]] -- i.e., it was a dick-swinging match between the [[communist]] governments of [[China]] and the [[Soviet Union]], and the [[capitalist]] countries operating under the aegis of the [[United Nations]] (most notably the [[United States]]).  It started in 1950 when North Korean soldiers stormed across the dividing line of the 38th parallel.  The United States convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and got a resolution allowing for the US to fight against the communist forces (the Soviet Union could have vetoed the resolution, however, they were boycotting the UN at the time and Security Council Resolution 84 passed)<ref>http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f1e85c.html The text of UNSC 84</ref>.  In the early stages of the war North Korean soldiers rapidly advanced south and even captured Seoul. The tide of the war changed when Douglas MacArthur led an amphibious assault at Incheon. The UN forces managed to push the North Koreans all the way to the Chinese border. MacArthur began announcing his plans to push into China and use nuclear weapons to deal with Chinese numerical superiority.  However, President Harry Truman did not believe that it was worth expanding the war into China (citing the Security Council resolution which only gave them authorization to fight in Korea).  MacArthur, however, did not want to listen to orders and was relieved of command. The Chinese, believed that an American invasion was imminent and launched a surprise attack against the UN forces.  Eventually the situation stabilized along the 38th Parallel and a bloody stalemate set in.  In 1953 the two sides met at Panmunjom to accept a fragile ceasefire.
  
And for all the talk of [[American exceptionalism]], it should be noted that the commies fought the U.S. to a draw in Korea, then defeated them in Vietnam.<ref>Actually, America's defeat in Vietnam was the fault of [[marijuana|pot smoking]], [[LSD|acid dropping]] [[Fun:Hippie|hippies]] back home.  And Jane Fonda, too.  Yeah, right.  That's what defeated the U.S. military.</ref>
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And for all the talk of [[American exceptionalism]], it should be noted that the commies fought the U.S. to a draw in Korea, then defeated them in Vietnam.<ref>Actually, America's defeat in Vietnam was the fault of [[marijuana|pot smoking]], [[LSD|acid dropping]][[Fun:Hippie|hippies]] back home.  And Jane Fonda, too.  Yeah, right.  That's what defeated the U.S. military.</ref>
  
In reality, the Korean War has never actually ended.  Since 1953, the peninsula has lived under a cease fire agreement.  That's why there are still heavily armed [[North Korean]] troops staring down heavily armed American and [[South Korean]] troops along the "Demilitarized Zone."  This is tested every now and then, typically by North Koreans who take potshots at US and ROK soldiers or use their submarines to sink ROK navay ships. The DMZ is so heavily fortified that North Koreans trying to flee south have to sneak into China first if they want to make it safely.  
+
In reality, the Korean War has never actually ended.  Since 1953, the peninsula has lived under a cease fire agreement.  That's why there are still heavily armed [[North Korean]] troops staring down heavily armed American and [[South Korean]] troops along the "Demilitarized Zone."  This is tested every now and then, typically by North Koreans who take potshots at US and ROK soldiers or use their submarines to sink ROK navy ships. The DMZ is so heavily fortified that North Koreans trying to flee south have to sneak into China first if they want to make it safely.  
  
The Korean War has been called a "police action," although very few speeding tickets were issued.  Most American G.I.s were under 21 years of age, which back then meant they were too young to vote. Coincidence?
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The Korean War has been called a "police action," although very few speeding tickets were issued.  Most American G.I.s were under 21 years of age, which back then meant they were too young to vote. Coincidence?
 
   
 
   
Prior to the fall of the Iron Curtain it was debated in the west whether or not Stalin actually gave the order to Kim Il Sung to commence the invasion of the south.  Later records indicated that [[Josef Stalin]] "planned, prepared, and initiated" the war after occupying North Korea and setting up its current government in 1945.  The war cost well over a million Korean and Chinese lives, and possibly more than 2.5 million lives in all,<ref>http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/SOD.CHAP10.HTM</ref> almost all of whom died as a result of the decision by [[Mao Zedong]] to militarily intervene in order to save North Korea from collapse.
+
Prior to the fall of the Iron Curtain it was debated in the west whether or not Stalin actually gave the order to Kim Il Sung to commence the invasion of the south.  Later records indicated that [[Josef Stalin]] "planned, prepared, and initiated" the war after occupying North Korea and setting up its current government in 1945.  The war cost well over a million Korean and Chinese lives, and possibly more than 2.5 million lives in all,<ref>http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/SOD.CHAP10.HTM</ref> almost all of whom died as a result of the decision by [[Mao Zedong]]to militarily intervene in order to save North Korea from collapse.
  
  

Revision as of 06:59, 2 November 2011


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The Korean War (25 June 1950 - 27 July 1953) was the first shooting war of the Cold War, and has often been called "The Forgotten War" by many of the Americans who fought in it.

Although it was fought on the Korean Peninsula, it was actually more of a test run for future wars like the Vietnam War -- i.e., it was a dick-swinging match between the communist governments of China and the Soviet Union, and the capitalist countries operating under the aegis of the United Nations (most notably the United States). It started in 1950 when North Korean soldiers stormed across the dividing line of the 38th parallel. The United States convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and got a resolution allowing for the US to fight against the communist forces (the Soviet Union could have vetoed the resolution, however, they were boycotting the UN at the time and Security Council Resolution 84 passed)[1]. In the early stages of the war North Korean soldiers rapidly advanced south and even captured Seoul. The tide of the war changed when Douglas MacArthur led an amphibious assault at Incheon. The UN forces managed to push the North Koreans all the way to the Chinese border. MacArthur began announcing his plans to push into China and use nuclear weapons to deal with Chinese numerical superiority. However, President Harry Truman did not believe that it was worth expanding the war into China (citing the Security Council resolution which only gave them authorization to fight in Korea). MacArthur, however, did not want to listen to orders and was relieved of command. The Chinese, believed that an American invasion was imminent and launched a surprise attack against the UN forces. Eventually the situation stabilized along the 38th Parallel and a bloody stalemate set in. In 1953 the two sides met at Panmunjom to accept a fragile ceasefire.

And for all the talk of American exceptionalism, it should be noted that the commies fought the U.S. to a draw in Korea, then defeated them in Vietnam.[2]

In reality, the Korean War has never actually ended. Since 1953, the peninsula has lived under a cease fire agreement. That's why there are still heavily armed North Korean troops staring down heavily armed American and South Korean troops along the "Demilitarized Zone." This is tested every now and then, typically by North Koreans who take potshots at US and ROK soldiers or use their submarines to sink ROK navy ships. The DMZ is so heavily fortified that North Koreans trying to flee south have to sneak into China first if they want to make it safely.

The Korean War has been called a "police action," although very few speeding tickets were issued. Most American G.I.s were under 21 years of age, which back then meant they were too young to vote. Coincidence?

Prior to the fall of the Iron Curtain it was debated in the west whether or not Stalin actually gave the order to Kim Il Sung to commence the invasion of the south. Later records indicated that Josef Stalin "planned, prepared, and initiated" the war after occupying North Korea and setting up its current government in 1945. The war cost well over a million Korean and Chinese lives, and possibly more than 2.5 million lives in all,[3] almost all of whom died as a result of the decision by Mao Zedongto militarily intervene in order to save North Korea from collapse.


Footnotes

  1. http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f1e85c.html The text of UNSC 84
  2. Actually, America's defeat in Vietnam was the fault of pot smoking, acid droppinghippies back home. And Jane Fonda, too. Yeah, right. That's what defeated the U.S. military.
  3. http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/SOD.CHAP10.HTM


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