Discussion Questions
The Korean War Discussion, Study, and Examination Questions:
1. What was the "Cold War?" Describe and characterize the Cold War? Chronologically delineate the events that led to the Cold War. What are the major arguments on the causes of the Cold War? Which argument do you believe is most accurate? Why? Is the Cold War over? If so, when did it end?
2. It is argued that nuclear technology revolutionized war. Did it? If so, how? Describe and characterize this revolution in warfare. How did the revolution in warfare influence the conduct of war in Korea and Vietnam?
3. Who was George Kennan, and what was the "Policy of Containment? What was the "Truman Doctrine?"
4. When and why was Korea divided into two states? Korea's geographic location and circumstances is of strategic significance why?
5. Why did North Korea invade South Korea? Delineate the various arguments on the causes of the Korean War.
6. Why did the United States intervene in the Korean War?
7. What was the condition of the United States Army at the start of the Korean War? Explain why the Army was in this condition.
8. What was the condition of the U.S. Eighth Army in 1949? Explain why the Eighth Army was in this condition. What was the organization of the U.S. Army?
9. Divide the Korean War into phases using national, strategic objectives as the criteria. Explain the thinking behind each transition in strategy.
10. Divide the Korean War into phases using major ground operations as criteria. Explain the thinking behind each operational transition.
11. Who is General Douglas MacArthur? What was his plan for saving Korea?
12. What was Task Force Smith? What was the mission of the Task Force? Was this a valid mission? Did the Task Force achieve its objective? What happened to Task Force Smith?
13. What was the significance of the Port of Pusan to the U.S. war effort? What was MacArthur's strategy for retaining control of the Port of Pusan?
14. Who was General Waton Walker? How did he fight the battle for the Port of Pusan?
15. What type of maneuver was the Inchon landing operation? What was the significance of the operation? Delineate the view of those opposed to conducting the Inchon operation. Delineate the view of those in favor of conducting the operation. Given your knowledge and understanding of operations and tactics do you agree with those in favor of the operation, or those opposed to it?
16. Why did United Nation forces cross the 38th parallel? Was this decision in concert with the stated political goals of the United States and United Nations?
17. Define the following terms: pursuit, unity of command, interior line, strategic consumption, economy of force, mass, objective, surprise, limited war, and attrition.
18. Who was Omar Bradley? What role did he play in the Korean War? Was this role in concert with the rank and position he held?
19. Why did the Chinese Volunteer Army intervene in the Korean War? Did the Chinese fight a limited or total war? Explain your answer.
20. Characterize the Chinese conduct of war. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese army? How did the Chinese Volunteer Army defeat the United States Army in November of 1950?
21. Why were the United States and United Nations surprised by the Chinese invasion? Explain this intelligence failure.
22. Who was General Matthew B. Ridgway? How did General Ridgway reverse the situation in Korea?
23. Why did Truman relieve General MacArthur? Do you agree or disagree with his decision?
24. Why did the United States and United Nations decide to halt the advance of the United Nations forces in the spring of 1951? What were the repercussions of this decision? Do you believe this was the best decision given the circumstances? Explain your answer.
25. Characterize the Chinese defense at the 38th parallel in late 1951. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese defenses? Characterize the American defense at the 38th parallel in late 1951. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the American defense? How were these defenses reflections of the societies that produced them?
26. How did Eisenhower bring the war in Korea to an end? Why was Truman unable to bring the war to an end?
27. What lesson did Ridgway learn from the Korean War? What lessons did Eisenhower learn from the Korean War?
28. As a strategic commander analyze the geographic factors involved in the war in Korea. Why did Omar Bradley, Chairman of the JCS argue against the use of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula?
29. As an operational commander analyze the terrain on the Korean Peninsula. How does this terrain influence the conduct of operations? As a strategic commander analyze the geography of the Korean Peninsula. How does this geographic region influence the American conduct of war? How
30. Why was the Korean War so unpopular in the United States? Why did support of the American people deteriorate throughout the war? Why was Truman incapable of bring the war to an end?
31. Explain the outcome of the Korean War? Did the United States win or lose the Korean War? Delineate both arguments. Which argument do you believe is most accurate?
32. Was the Korean War a limited or total war? Consider the war from the perspective of North and South Korea, from the perspective of China, and from the perspective of the United States and the Soviet Union.
33. Define victory in the nuclear age. Characterize the dilemma facing the American people in the age of nuclear war. With the end of the "Cold War" will America return to its traditional approach to war? Explain your answer.
34. What was Eisenhower's military policy and strategic doctrine? What was the thinking behind them? How did Eisenhower plan to defend the U.S. and its interests? What was the argument against his strategic vision? What do you think? Assess Eisenhower's performance in regard to national defense.
35. The 1947 National Security Act (along with the 1949 Amendments) created the organizational command structure for the United States during the period of the Cold War. Describe this system. What did it create? What did it fail to create? What were its strengths and weaknesses? How did if function. Did the system work effectively during the Korean War? Explain your answer.