The Korean War

Summary
This is an introductory lesson about the Korean War.

Objectives
• to describe and discuss the history behind the Korean War;

• to introduce the names of significant leaders involved in the Korean War;

• to explain and discuss the timeline of the Korean War.

Suggested Grades
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade

Excerpt
During World War II, the Japanese military destroyed much of the Korean landscape and many of the Korean people. After the war, the Japanese surrendered to the United States and the Soviet Union forces that were located in Korea. After Japan surrendered, the Soviet Union controlled the northern Korean territory. The United States controlled the territory in the south of Korea. The United States and the Soviet Union were trying to rebuild Korea. They each supplied weapons and training to the people located within their territory. Eventually, the Soviet forces and the American forces left Korea, but because they split the country into two parts, Korea was a country divided and on the brink of war.

The United States withdrew their troops from Korea because they were trying to avoid another war. They thought that their continued presence in Korea might seem like an aggressive action against North Korea and other interested parties. The United States had a lot of military in Japan and the Philippines.

Continued...