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Why might textbooks from different countries offer different versions of the same historical events? When textbooks offer conflicting accounts, how do you decide which textbook to believe?
Key Ideas (Teacher Notes)
As you know, textbooks, like other historical documents we have looked at, have a bias and often offer only one perspective on the past.
History textbooks are often influenced by a country’s national perspective and geographic/geopolitical relationship to other countries.
Brief Introduction to the Korean War
Korea’s History
Korea has a long history of being dominated or influenced by other countries.
Korea’s History
During the Middle Ages, China had a lot of control over Korea.
Korea’s History
Korea had a period of freedom, independence, and peace from 1600s – 1850s.
Russo – Japanese War
Russia was trying to expand their empire and gain power over Korea.
Russo – Japanese War
This led to a fight between Russia and Japan over control of Korea.
Russo – Japanese War
Japan defeats Russia and in the Treaty of Portsmouth, Russia recognized Korea as part of the Japanese sphere of influence.
World Through Korea’s Eyes
Japanese Occupation
By 1910, Japan brutally occupied Korea.
They forced Koreans to attend Japanese schools, and learn Japanese history and traditions.
Japanese Occupation
The Korean people and government had little or no power.
Korea & World War II
During WWII, the Japanese continued their occupation of Korea.
Kuniaki Koiso, Japanese Governor-General of Korea, implemented a draft of Koreans for wartime labor.
Korea & World War II
At the end of WWII, Soviets invaded the northern part of Korea and the US invaded the southern part to push the Japanese out.
Soviet/Chinese Influence
The Soviet’s occupation in the northern part of Korea greatly influenced the people and government.
Soviet/Chinese Influence
In 1949, China became a communist nation & largely freed itself from foreign influence.
Soviet/Chinese Influence
The idea of communism and freedom from foreign occupation greatly appealed to the people in the north.
The War Begins
Both sides wanted to re-unify the country under their own rule.
38
The War Begins
In June 1950, after a number of small skirmishes at the border, war broke out between North and South Korea.
38
The Fighting
The US backed and fought with the South.
When China entered the war in Oct of 1950 (3 months into conflict),they fought with the North.
(Note: Though the USSR, did not get directly involved in the fighting, they did provide weapons to the North.)
The Fighting
Initially, American and UN forces, under the leadership of American General Douglas MacArthur, pushed deep into North Korea.
The Fighting
In October, China entered the war and gradually pushed the joint US/UN troops back into the South.
War Ends
The war continued for several years back and forth across in the 38th parallel.
In July 1953, UN forces and North Korea agreed to a cease fire.
War Ends
The border/demilitarization zone (DMZ) was set up at the 38th parallel.
North Korea and South Korea were two separate countries.
Before Korean War After Korean War
Before and After
Demilitarization Zone (DMZ)
The DMZ is the divide between the north and south at the 38th parallel.
It is heavily guarded by both sides.
Question for Investigation
Who started the Korean War?
Discussion Questions
According to each textbook, how did the Korean War start?
Which of these textbooks do you find more trustworthy? Why?
Where else would you look in order to figure out how the Korean War started?
Which textbook comes from North Korea? Which comes from South Korea? How do you know?
If there’s time: Let’s compare the two accounts you read, to the account of the Korean War given by your textbook.
The Impact of the War & Modern Day Korea
Overview: Korea After the War
After the Korean War, American troops remained in South Korea to help rebuild and protect the DMZ.
Today, South Korea is a free and democratic country. The US still maintains a large military presence along the DMZ.
Overview: Korea After the War
North Korea isolated itself from the world under leadership of Kim Il Sung. They received financial support from the Soviet Union and China.
North Korea remains the only dynastic communist dictatorship in the world.
Concerns About North Korea
After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, North Korea lost their (USSR’s) financial support.
USSR
Concerns About North Korea
Most of North Korea does not have regular electricity, access to clean water, or medical attention.
Concerns About North Korea
They often suffer food shortages, but refuse to accept help from the south.
Leaders of North Korea
Kim Il Sung was the first leader of the Democratic Republic of North Korea (DPRK), and was a communist dictator.
When he died his son Kim Jong Il took over.
Leaders of North Korea
This is the first dynastic communist dictatorship in history.
When Kim Jong Il died last year his son Kim Jong Un took over.
After Kim Il Sung died in 1994 his son Kim Jong Il took over. Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, and his son Kim Jong Un became leader of North Korea. Not much is known about his son.
What is life like in North Korea?
North Koreans are completely cut off from the outside world, and only hear information the government wants them to.
What is life like in North Korea?
All the textbooks in schools are written by Kim Il Sung or Kim Jong Il.
Propaganda
Most of the propaganda North Koreans are exposed to portrays the leaders in a God-like manner, and Americans as imperialists who want to destroy them.
They portray Americans/ capitalists as corrupt and evil.
Prison Camps
The usage of extreme censorship and propaganda keeps most citizens loyal to the government.
Prison Camps
When this does not work, the North Korean government uses prison camps as a punishment.
They deny that these camps exist.
Nuclear Weapons and Threats of War
It is no secret that North Korea is actively working on developing nuclear weapons.
In February 2013, they conducted their third known nuclear test.
Nuclear Weapons and Threats of War
South Korea feels threatened by North Korea ramping up their nuclear program and many are calling for the US to provide them with nuclear weapons.
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