For MacArthur, the war was an opportunity to liberate the North from communist control, and aggressive action was required. For Truman, the war represented an opportunity to stop the spread of communism into South Korea. General MacArthur did not think a ceasefire was an appropriate solution. President Truman’s main concern was saving as many lives as possible, even if that meant signing a ceasefire along the 38th parallel. In pushing for a larger conflict, MacArthur downplayed the risk of inciting a massive war in Asia.
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He made a controversial move, however, when he continued to push the North Koreans further north and suggested bombing cities in China that were thought to be aiding the North Korean troops. MacArthur was initially successful in driving back the North Korean forces over the 38th parallel. The general assured the president that the Korean War would be short-lived and that the American troops would be home by Christmas. MacArthur was revered and highly praised in the United States. Following his victories in WWII he had become the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan. MacArthur arrived at his post a World War II hero, having successfully led multiple troops through the war. President Truman hand selected General Douglas MacArthur to lead the U.S. Adhering to its policy of containment, the United States could not ignore the threat of communism in Asia, but neither the president nor the public wanted a long, drawn out war. The Korean War began when the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea. The US adopted a firm stance to contain the spread of communism, which was being aggressively promoted by the USSR. The United Nations, which was formed to provide a forum to prevent future wars, included the membership of the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and 57 other countries. A mere two years after the end of WWII, the Cold War began. The fear of having to engage in another world war was very real.
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In 1945, the scars of World War II across the world were still fresh. National History Day Workshops from the National Archives.Electing Our Presidents Teacher Workshop.Collection Policy and Donating Materials.An Ordinary Man, His Extraordinary Journey.