Events that Led to Wars across the World
Part 2
1. How did General Douglas MacArthur react to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
~ General MacArthur was the Army’s Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, Commander in Chief of the United States Command and the Far East, and Commanding General of the U.S Army and the Far East. So basically he was top dog, and he was there for a reason. He supervised Japan’s transition into a modern, democratic nation in WWII; also, he called the orders for the counterattack on North Korea and succeeded. Most people saw him as a war hero, but conflict rose between him and President Truman, especially issues centered on the Korean War. Even though MacArthur’s counterattack was successful, Truman approved MacArthur’s request to pursue beyond the 38th parallel. When MacArthur met President Truman in person on Wake Island, he was described as being disrespectful. Not where his military uniform and shaking hands with the President instead of saluting him seemed odd. MacArthur publically accused Truman of “appeasement” regarding China, this infuriated Truman. During discussions on Wake, MacArthur assured the Chinese would not get involved. Further into the war, MacArthur pressed for permission to enter China, believing that defeating Communist China would be the only way to victory. Truman assured him he needed to follow orders, which turned out MacArthur, had underestimated the Chinese Army. Because of this, President Truman relieved MacArthur from Command. On April 19, 1951, he came before Congress to give a farewell speech.
2. How did President Truman respond to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
~ After winning a second term in the 1948 election, Truman’s popularity was falling. Since the election, SU had created their first atomic bomb, China had fallen to communist rule, and there were reports that communism had infiltrated the U.S Government. The Republicans blamed him for “losing China” The UN and the US responded
1. How did General Douglas MacArthur react to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
~ General MacArthur was the Army’s Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, Commander in Chief of the United States Command and the Far East, and Commanding General of the U.S Army and the Far East. So basically he was top dog, and he was there for a reason. He supervised Japan’s transition into a modern, democratic nation in WWII; also, he called the orders for the counterattack on North Korea and succeeded. Most people saw him as a war hero, but conflict rose between him and President Truman, especially issues centered on the Korean War. Even though MacArthur’s counterattack was successful, Truman approved MacArthur’s request to pursue beyond the 38th parallel. When MacArthur met President Truman in person on Wake Island, he was described as being disrespectful. Not where his military uniform and shaking hands with the President instead of saluting him seemed odd. MacArthur publically accused Truman of “appeasement” regarding China, this infuriated Truman. During discussions on Wake, MacArthur assured the Chinese would not get involved. Further into the war, MacArthur pressed for permission to enter China, believing that defeating Communist China would be the only way to victory. Truman assured him he needed to follow orders, which turned out MacArthur, had underestimated the Chinese Army. Because of this, President Truman relieved MacArthur from Command. On April 19, 1951, he came before Congress to give a farewell speech.
2. How did President Truman respond to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
~ After winning a second term in the 1948 election, Truman’s popularity was falling. Since the election, SU had created their first atomic bomb, China had fallen to communist rule, and there were reports that communism had infiltrated the U.S Government. The Republicans blamed him for “losing China” The UN and the US responded