Key People- General Douglas MacArthur and the Korean War

Who Was He?

• US General in 1950's and 1940's 
• Supreme Commander in Southwest Pacific during WWII
• Accepted Japan's surrender (September 1945)
• Went on to become the Governor of Japan during Allied occupation 
• As Governor he reformed Japan's political system and economy- allowed them to become a firm ally of the US
• Most well known for leading the UN for the first nine months of the Korean War
• Famous for his intelligence, superior command ability, loyalty and dedication to his the US and his duty towards it

MacArthur and the Korean War 

• Led the United Nations
• Joined in the second phase- September 1950
• South Korea had been pushed to a Southeastern port called Pusan, Chinese troops in Manchuria waiting for orders to invade in support of North Korea--> First phase without MacArthur (June-September 1950)
• Second phase began- MacArthur lead an amphibious  invasion and managed to land at Inchon 
• Managed to push North Koreans back across the boarder at the 38th parallel 
• Mao sent 300'000 Chinese troops into North Korea in response- caused UN to organise a major counter-attack against them 
• Third phase (December 50- June 51)- Chinese forces continued down into South Korea, capturing Seoul 
• MacArthur demanded the US should push into North Korea to engage China 
• Planned to use air strikes and nuclear weapons- Truman denied these requests 

MacArthur's Dismissal 

• Conflicts between Truman and MacArthur became public 
• Truman feared the use of nuclear weapons would extend the war and get the USSR involved- Truman wanted him to follow the new concept of 'limited war'
• MacArthur was intent on unifying Korea by using the USA and was prepared to do so by any means- was not following the traditionally US policy of unconditional war
• Truman dismissed him because of their different views 

 Aftermath

• He was initially still popular in the US despite his dismissal 
• Parades were held in his honour and he was seen as a national hero 
• Public opinion was firmly against Truman's decision
• People began to understand and respect the new policy of 'limited war'  
• Over time, they accepted that had he gone through with his plans, war in Asia could have been much worse