The+Korean+War



__**The Korean War (1950-53)**__ The Korean War is a very significant event for several reasons. One, as most of you that live in Korea are all to familiar, is that the war never ended in a peace treaty, but in an armistice agreement. Essentially, both sides stopped fighting. Another is that this was the first police or peace making mission of the United Nations. It is also the first time major conflict of the Cold War. For this reason, the United States contributed the lion's share of the troops fighting under the UN banner. Indeed, many would contend that the US was using the United Nations as a tool to ensure its newly created policy of 'containment'. As shown, the Korean War is one steeped in controversy and wonder. Notes for the Korean War:

The Korean War's start was sowed during the period of Japan's colonial rule. This was a period when desperate groups laid claim to being the government of Korea in exile. There were groups in China, Manchuria and the United States all laying claim to legitimacy for leadership. Thus, upon liberation from Japanese rule many began to call for their taking the reigns of power to lead the country into independence. It was under this vacuum created at the end of Japan's occupation that tension began on the peninsula. Added to this was the tension created by Cold War animosities between the USA and the communist world. You are to view the notes below, and answer the questions which follow (or are given to you). Notes for Korean War (this is a very detailed set of notes for which you are responsible): Copy and paste the documents into a single Google Doc appropriately labeled (BLOCK LAST NAME FIRST NAME (ENGLISH NAME) " THE KOREAN WAR".
 * Lesson 1 //Background to the Korean War//**
 * Assignment**


 * 1) **Questions**:[[file:The Background to the Korean War.pages]]Read pp. 376-387 of //Pacific Century (Handout given in class)//
 * 2) **First Reading Assignment: [[file:Korean War 1.pages]]**
 * 3) **Second Reading Assignment: [[file:Korean War 2.pages]]**
 * Note: That the last section on continuing to the attack into North Korea will be done in class (small groups). Conclude by stating what you think the UN Forces under American leadership should have done in October of 1950 on the same Google doc. ALL WORK GOES ON TO THE GOOGLE DOC.**

__**Links to Korean War (optional) Note: That this provides you with some idea of what happened prior to the outbreak of hostilities.**__ Extremely disturbing images from [|North Korean propaganda posters] portraying war crimes committed by the US Military. The [|Cold War/The Korean War] A lecture by Bruce Cumings [|American Involvement in the Cheju Massacre]

__**Reading and assignment**__

__**Oral History of the Korean War**__ **__Assignment (Not mandatory for 2010/2011 students)__** For this assignment you will be interviewing a person that lived through the Korean War. A big thanks to Mr. James Brightman for this assignment. Please go to the link Oral History of the Korean War.