General MacArthur and the Korean War

What did General Douglas MacArthur do in the Korean War?

At the age of 70, General Douglas MacArthur was appointed chief of the UN task force sent to Korea in 1950. He played a significant role in the Korean War.

What were the key events General Douglas MacArthur was involved in during the Korean War?

The 8 key events of MacArthur's role in the Korean War included:

• ❖ When MacArthur arrived in Korea, his first job was to stop the South Korean army from being wiped out. He sent troops to defend the area around the city of Pusan.
• ❖ MacArthur then launched a surprise attack, called the Inchon Landings.
• ❖ Next, he led UN forces to recapture the city of Seoul, which had fallen to Kim II-Sung's North Korean army.
• ❖ By October 1950, MacArthur had successfully led the UN campaign to drive the North Korean army back to their homeland behind the 38th parallel.
• ❖ MacArthur then launched an offensive into North Korea in the hope of reuniting Korea under capitalism. This went against recommendations not to do so, due to the concern China would join the war. However, MacArthur was confident Mao's troops would not attack.
• ❖ MacArthur's predictions were wrong, and he and his troops were pushed back into South Korea by the united force of North Korean and Chinese soldiers.
• ❖ MacArthur was ordered by Truman not to go back into North Korea. He ignored the command, saying he wanted to unite Korea and the USA should be prepared to engage in nuclear warfare if that was what it took.
• ❖ As a result of disregarding President Truman's orders, MacArthur was sacked in April 1951 and ordered to return to the USA.

Why was General Douglas MacArthur sacked during the Korean War?

MacArthur was sacked because he disobeyed direct orders. There was real concern he might trigger a nuclear war. Some people felt he deliberately provoked China into entering the war by ignoring warnings against advancing further north in Korea. He also repeatedly expressed a willingness to use nuclear weapons.

Who took over General Douglas MacArthur's role in the Korean War?

General MacArthur was replaced by Lieutenant General Matthew Ridgway.

What was the public reaction to General Douglas MacArthur being sacked during the Korean War?

MacArthur was popular in America and his sacking was condemned by the public. He received a hero's welcome on his return home.

What was the significance of General Douglas MacArthur's role during the Korean War?

MacArthur was a significant and controversial figure in the Korean War for 5 main reasons:

• ❖ He was responsible for changing the tide of events, masterminding the Inchon Landing, and was able to recapture South Korea at the start of the war.
• ❖ His actions led to China's involvement, which turned the tide again - but this time not in the UN's favour.
• ❖ He was sacked by President Truman for disregarding orders and was replaced by Lieutenant General Ridgeway.
• ❖ His attitude regarding nuclear warfare was heavily criticised. Some people felt there was a real danger of the conflict becoming nuclear and MacArthur was pushing towards this.
• ❖ He wrote a public letter criticising President Truman.