Coming Together/Coming Apart: A History of the Korean War

Season 2 coming....someday. CT/CA will continue its temporary hiatus indefinitely until life settles down. I'll publish a trailer before the release of the first episodes, so keep an eye here and on Twitter! Thank you for your continued support. -Trevor

On July 27th, 1953, the Korean War ended. Today, this series of the podcast ends.

On July 27th, 1953, the Korean War ended. Or did it? What is the Korean Armistice Agreement, and why does it still matter to this day? Opening Excerpt from Dwight Eisenhower's Address to the American Society of Newspaper Editors retrieved from American Rhetoric

The first six months of 1953 proceeded just as the last eighteen months had...but everyone had the gut feeling that things were coming to close. When will the Korean War ever end?

Special Episode (NOTE - I originally planned this for a Friday morning release, but bumped it to Tuesday because I've hit my data limit for the month on my hosting account. New regular episodes will recommence on April 1.) Harry Truman's Farewell Address - https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/harrystrumantrumanfarewelladdress.html Dwight Eisenhower's Inaugural Address - https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/dwighteisenhowerfirstinaugural.htm

The second half of 1952 transpired much like the first half of 1952. Why was that? Also, who wins the US Presidential Election of 1952? And finally, who else went along with the "imperialist crusade" of the Americans in Korea?

Over 200,000 people were taken prisoner in Korea; what were their lives like? One of those men taken prisoner just so happened to be an American general taken prisoner in his own camp... Also, how're those negotiations going?

The Korean War really slows down in the second half of 1952....or does it? Negotiations begin, negotiations stall, and negotiations begin again. (Also, let's talk about the air war.)

The gears of war were grinding slower than ever in June of 1951. It didn't help that they were nearing the one year anniversary of the invasion and were right about back where they started... You can reach me by email at ctcapodcast@gmail.com or on social media as @CTCApodcast.

The Fifth Phase Offensive restarted in May, 1951. How'd that go for the Communists? Note: This is a shorter episode because there's not much that happened in May and also, you know, democracy might be collapsing around us. Please take care of yourself!

Douglas is out and Matthew is in. Will the Korean War continue on as it has without it's American Hero at the helm?

I forgot to mention this last week, but there is not a full episode this week. Take the time you would spend listening to this podcast and spend it with someone you care about. (I'll count it if you choose to spend it with yourself.) It's been a difficult year, and it's an achievement to just make it through. If you have a book recommendation you think I should check out, please find me on social media (@CTCApodcast pretty much everywhere) or rocket an email my way (ctcapodcast@gmail.com). Happy holidays, and I'll be back with Episode 27 next week!

Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. Bye-bye, Douglas MacArthur. You're 5000 candles in the wind. https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/douglasmacarthurfarewelladdress.htm https://donate.urbangateways.org/trevorowens

By February, 1951, everyone was tired. The men, the vehicles, just all...tired. And cold. A bit of a rest was required, but, as always, there's no rest for the wicked. Combat would pick back up again in no time at all.

As 1950 rolls over to 1951, the Korean War continues on. The Chinese and North Koreans continue their drive down the Peninsula, attempting to push the imperialists and traitors out of the Land of the Morning Calm. The United Nations forces withdraw....and withdraw again....and withdraw again....trading space for time in a bid to stop the Communist onslaught.

On November 23rd, the fighting men of the UN celebrated their first Thanksgiving in Korea. Just a few days later, they would begin the long march south. Elsewhere, US Marines fought the Chinese and the Cold at "Frozen Chosin." Donate to Urban Gateways at https://donate.urbangateways.org/trevorowens

The month of November went well for United Nations forces in Korea, until it didn't. Donate to Urban Gateways here: donate.urbangateways.org/trevorowens

On October 19th, 1950, Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into Korea. Why did the Chinese decide to intervene? Why did these Chinese soldiers fight as "volunteers?" How much time did Mao spend agonizing over this monumental decision?

In the first week of October, South Korean and United Nations forces separately crossed the 38th Parallel, invading North Korea. Their targets were Wonsan and Pyongyang, that would both fall within ten days of the crossings. Around the same time, the Supreme Commander meets his Commander-in-Chief and makes a most unfortunate promise.

After their massive success at Inchon and on the Pusan Perimeter, the UN Forces were finally backing away from the brink of disaster. That role was now held by the North Koreans, who were retreating as fast as they could back across the 38th Parallel. The big question now was: would they be followed by the South Koreans and their American allies?