Korean War in 1950-1953: Conflicting Ideologies

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Recommended: Truman's containment policy

Military or Political?
President Truman strategy was a “negotiated settlement” “This would end the war, unfortunately North Korea would remain independent.” His tactics were diplomatic, whenever there would be a dispute he would talk it out not causing any trouble or alarming other countries there is a collision of interests.
Calling troops to act would be his last call, as he believed violence was unnecessary. As well as with the Korean War, he didn’t send in the troops to attack and recapture North Korea. He ordered them to Pusan because he wanted to secure South Korea and avoid a massive killing and imprisonment of half of Korea. But his main fear was the expansion of communism therefore that was his main aim, was not to anger the Chinese. Once MacArthur reached the coast line of Pusan he wanted to fight until the end and leave South Korea as a proud leader that accomplished and perhaps avoided the biggest turn there could be in history: the communist takeover. However he wouldn’t be given a chance, the President couldn’t to risk going further to North Korea as it could be suicide for USA, President Truman believed so as crossing the 38th parallel was known as “the point of no return”.

Their relationship was an issue at that time as it climaxed to a high level in the middle of the war. It was a problem because they were both two great leaders present, fighting over communism take over tactics and aiming to save South Korea yet they were competing and fighting with one another. This was a danger that could weaken them to a big extent and defeat them by their own obstinacy. The conflict between the president and the general caused many discussions and conflicts within the public and their enemy too. The dispute between them ...

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... congress “Old soldiers never die; they only fade away” consisted of a clarification and justification of his actions, why he did what did because and what he thought it would bring. As Roger Dingman stated “MacArthur’s legacy and his enduring significance lies in reminding us of the need for that kind of leadership, that kind of unity of purpose, that kind of connectedness, in a way, between the military leader and his men who fight a war, and the public at large.” Douglas MacArthur is remembered as very significant patriotic leader who fought for his country until his dismissal.

Works Cited

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/truman-relieves-macarthur-of-duties-in-korea
Shmoop US History, The Korean War
Matthew Ridgeway, Soldiers‘ General
Truman McArthur and the Korean War http://www.johndclare.net/EC5.htm (Why did the Korean War break out in 1950. 2013)

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