Why is the Korean war so forgotten?

[whitehall]

How did "stiff resistance" did the French offer when Hitler's troops occupied Paris? Does it mean that the French invited Nazi conquest for some convoluted political reason? I'm trying to stay on topic about the reason Korea is the forgotten war but the radical left keeps trying to turn it into a political issue.

 

[georgephillip]

How did "stiff resistance" did the French offer when Hitler's troops occupied Paris? Does it mean that the French invited Nazi conquest for some convoluted political reason?

I don't think so; however, Germany's occupation of France has more in common with Japan's occupation of Korea. Both were brutal violations of international law which divided the civilian populations they occupied. The US occupation of South Korea also divided civilians, and a majority of South Koreans were still hostile towards the US when fighting began in 1950. Possibly one reason so many Americans have forgotten the Korean War is their confusion over why it began?

 

[georgephillip]

I'm trying to stay on topic about the reason Korea is the forgotten war but the radical left keeps trying to turn it into a political issue.

Because war is a political issue. You can't separate the killing from the competing ideologies that launch the wars.

At the end of WWII, Communism and Capitalism faced off in Korea and in Greece. In both countries, the communists had lead the fight against Germany and Japan, and in both countries the communists were denied the right to establish popular governments because the US and England "knew better."

"The guerilla army of ELAS (National People’s Army of Liberation) under the leadership of the KKE (Communist Party of Greece), led the resistance to Nazi occupation during the War. Inspired by the success of Tito’s partisan army in Yugoslavia, ELAS held two-thirds of the country in February 1945, at which time a truce was negotiated with the Royalists.

In October 1946, DSE (Democratic Army of Greece) launched a campaign to win control of the whole country, and received support from neighboring Yugoslavia, Albania and Bulgaria.

"Despite the presence of British troops and aid from the US, the Royalists were not expected to last long against the guerillas.

"Citing the situation in Greece, the inability of the British to cope with the situation and alleged breaches of the Yalta Agreements in Romania, Poland and Bulgaria, US President Harry Truman launched the ‘Cold War’.

"Truman ultimately decided to break irrevocably from the alliance with Stalin formed during the Wold War II, terminating aid to the USSR and pledging significant monetary aid to the Royalists in Greece under the guise of the 'Marshall plan.'”

In Korea and Greece the communists resisted the Axis powers while many capitalists, especially the rich ones, collaborated with Hitler and Tojo.

The Greek Civil War

 

[whitehall]

How did "stiff resistance" did the French offer when Hitler's troops occupied Paris? Does it mean that the French invited Nazi conquest for some convoluted political reason?

I don't think so; however, Germany's occupation of France has more in common with Japan's occupation of Korea. Both were brutal violations of international law which divided the civilian populations they occupied. The US occupation of South Korea also divided civilians, and a majority of South Koreans were still hostile towards the US when fighting began in 1950. Possibly one reason so many Americans have forgotten the Korean War is their confusion over why it began?

Can we cut to the chase? The phrase "the forgotten war" was created by the American media. Regardless of the communist/socialist/left wing whining about American occupation after WW2, American combat Troops were sent to Korea by an executive order and that made Korea unique in American history. About 50,000 Americans died in Military service during the three years of Truman's War. After the ego trip of a WW1 Vet well past his prime and the loss of American Troops in the biggest ambush in history, timid Harry finally fired his general but was stuck with a stalemate and American kids died during the 18th months while the Washington bureaucracy changed the rules of engagement after Red China became a player. The liberal media who never saw a FDR democrat that they didn't completely support decided that they would sit the rest of the Korean War out and call it the forgotten war. The American public didn't forget though. "Give 'Em Hell Harry" couldn't even get enough support from his own party to run for a 2nd full term and left the political arena.

 

[georgephillip]

It must be something wrong with it...The American casualties are similar to the Vietnam war. Not to mention this was Nato fighting North Korea and China as well as indirectly combating the soviets. It's often known as the "forgotten war". Why is that? Are we shy of our history?

Americans are ignorant of their history.

 

[Roadrunner]

It must be something wrong with it...The American casualties are similar to the Vietnam war. Not to mention this was Nato fighting North Korea and China as well as indirectly combating the soviets. It's often known as the "forgotten war". Why is that? Are we shy of our history?

Maybe Americans are ashamed they did not hit the streets in protest like we finally did over Vietnam?

 

[georgephillip]

Maybe Americans are ashamed they did not hit the streets in protest like we finally did over Vietnam?

As I recall, most Americans were worried about the US economy plunging back into a depression in the early 50s, and they regarded another war as a good way to prevent that from occurring.

 

[Roadrunner]

Maybe Americans are ashamed they did not hit the streets in protest like we finally did over Vietnam?

As I recall, most Americans were worried about the US economy plunging back into a depression in the early 50s, and they regarded another war as a good way to prevent that from occurring.

Damn, you must be older than dirt.

I was born in '49, and have little recollection of Korea.

I remember my uncle coming back, but didn't realize where he had been or what he was coming back from.

I think the first international incident I remember had to do with the Suez Canal, mid fifties.

I was puzzled by the hubbub over what I thought was a drainage ditch.

 

[georgephillip]

was born in '49, and have little recollection of Korea.

I remember my uncle coming back, but didn't realize where he had been or what he was coming back from

I was born in '47 and remember my parents and grand-parents worrying about another Great Depression returning in the early '50s. The Suez Crisis is one I too have a little better recollection of probably because it was discussed in school and home.

 

[Roadrunner]

was born in '49, and have little recollection of Korea.

I remember my uncle coming back, but didn't realize where he had been or what he was coming back from

I was born in '47 and remember my parents and grand-parents worrying about another Great Depression returning in the early '50s. The Suez Crisis is one I too have a little better recollection of probably because it was discussed in school and home.

That accounts for it.

We are both older than dirt, you are just a tad older than me.

I came from a Demlib family, and, was always told FDR fixed it so there would never be another Depression.

 

[georgephillip]

That accounts for it.

We are both older than dirt, you are just a tad older than me.

I came from a Demlib family, and, was always told FDR fixed it so there would never be another Depression

My family was pretty much on the Republican side, but they also believed there would never be another Great Depression because of Roosevelt's reforms; none of them lived long enough to watch Lehman Brothers die.

 

[Unkotare]

That scumbag fdr was one of the most dangerous threats this nation has ever faced.

 

[georgephillip]

That scumbag fdr was one of the most dangerous threats this nation has ever faced.

Seventy years ago most Koreans would have agreed.
"4. At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, U.S. President Roosevelt and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin discussed the postwar future of Korea. Stalin advocated independence as soon as possible. Roosevelt

a. agreed to immediate independence

b. advocated a trusteeship of 20-30 years, citing the positive example of U.S. rule in the Philippines

c. suggested Korea remain a part of the Japanese Empire, to be occupied by Allied forces"

A Pop Quiz on Korea CounterPunch Tells the Facts Names the Names

 

[Unkotare]

That scumbag fdr was one of the most dangerous threats this nation has ever faced.

Seventy years ago most Koreans would have agreed.

That scumbag FDR was a danger to the US. Koreans would be justified in pointing the finger of blame at the other Roosevelt.

 

[georgephillip]

That scumbag FDR was a danger to the US. Koreans would be justified in pointing the finger of blame at the other Roosevelt.

Teddy agreed with his Secretary of War's secret treaty agreement with Japan in 1905 giving Japan suzerainty over Korea in exchange for Japan's acceptance of US colonial rule in Hawaii and the Philippines all in the interest of permanent peace in the East, of course.

The 1905 Secret Taft-Katsura Agreement America s Betrayal Of Korea