The Korean War/Conflict: A Web Quest

Questions/Tasks

1.      Locate the country of Korea on a map and describe its topographical and climatic features.  How might these features affect American troops fighting in this conflict?
 

2.       When did the conflict begin?   What was the cause of the conflict?    Who were the key figures/countries in the start of the conflict?

3.      When did the United States get involved?  Why?  Who was president at the time?  Why is this labeled a conflict instead of a war?

4.      How long did the United States remain involved in the conflict?  When were U.S. troops pulled out of the conflict?  Who was president at the time?

5.      What happened on November 14, 1947, that set the stage for the permanent division of Korea? (alternate link)

6.       Why is the Korean War often referred to as the forgotten war?
            How many American soldiers lost their lives in the Korean War

7.      For these questions, examine this interactive map.

a.       When did North Korea invade South Korea?

b.      b. Describe MacArthur’s counterattack.

c.       When did UN troops reach the Yalu River?

d.      When did the war become a stalemate?

8.       Why did President Truman fire General MacArthur in 1951?

a.       Who took MacArthur’s place?

9.      What did Truman cite as the toughest decision of his presidency?

·         Describe the Banning letter.

·         Do you feel it was appropriate for Mr. Banning to send such a letter to the President of the United States?   Why or why not?

·          

  1. When was the armistice signed?

·         Has the Korean War ended?  Why or why not?

 

  1. Did the American public think the Korean War was worth fighting?  Why or why not?  Explain your answer.

 

  1. What was the importance of the Stokes litter?

·         What new invention was being used to evacuate injured soldiers from the battlefield?

 

Resources:

The Korean War Project                    

               

The Korean War Timeline                                 

 

The Korean War: Photos, weapons                 

Korea + 50

50th Anniversary of the Korean War

Recollections from the Front

Korean War Educator

Harry S Truman Library

Harry S Truman bio from the 1948 Campaign

Eyewitness: A North Korean Remembers

Korean war Children’s Memorial

Korean War: The Week of Decision

Korean War Photos