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President Harry Truman and Korea (1950)

The text of Harry Truman's statement and corresponding comprehension questions.

President Truman and Korea (1950)   

Building Context: After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union occupied the Korean Peninsula, dividing their respective occupied zones at the 38th parallel. By 1948, these became two sovereign states; a communist state north of the parallel and a democratic, capitalist state south of the parallel.

Neither government believed the division was permanent, and both claimed to be the sole legitimate government. On June 25, 1950, Soviet-backed North Korean forces poured into South Korea and rapidly advanced. On June 27, the United Nations (UN) Security Council issued Resolution 83, condemning the invasion, demanding North Korea withdraw, and calling for armed forces to be deployed to restore peace to the region.

President Truman immediately declared the United States would send troops to the peninsula based upon the authority of the UN resolution. American troops soon arrived in the region and began to engage North Korean forces. President Truman made this decision despite having no declaration of war from Congress.

Review President Truman’s statement below and answer the questions that follow.

  Caption: President Harry Truman

Statement by the President, June 27, 1950 

In Korea the Government forces, which were armed to prevent border raids and to preserve internal security, were attacked by invading forces from North Korea. The Security Council of the United Nations called upon the invading troops to cease hostilities and to withdraw to the 38th parallel. This they have not done, but on the contrary have pressed the attack. The Security Council called upon all members of the United Nations to render  every assistance to the United Nations in the execution of this resolution. In these circumstances I have ordered United States air and sea forces to give the Korean Government troops cover and support.

Security Council of the United Nations:  one of the six principal bodies of the United Nations, charged with maintaining international peace and security

 38th parallel:  a parallel of latitude chosen as the border between North and South Korea

Render:  provide or give

The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that communism has passed beyond the use of subversion  to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war. It has defied the orders of the Security Council of the United Nations issued to preserve international peace and security. In these circumstances the occupation of Formosa  by Communist forces would be a direct threat to the security of the Pacific area and to United States forces performing their lawful and necessary functions in that area.

Subversion: something that undermines power or authority

Formosa: a former name for the island of Taiwan

Accordingly I have ordered the 7th Fleet to prevent any attack on Formosa. As a corollary of this action I am calling upon the Chinese Government on Formosa to cease all air and sea operations against the mainland. The 7th Fleet will see that this is done. The determination of the future status of Formosa must await the restoration of security in the Pacific, a peace settlement with Japan, or consideration by the United Nations.

7th fleet:  a part of the U.S. Navy

Corollary: an idea that flows logically from an already accepted idea

Status: Truman is referring to an ongoing debate about the legal status of Formosa and who should govern it.

I have also directed that United States Forces in the Philippines be strengthened and that military assistance to the Philippine Government be accelerated.

I have similarly directed acceleration in the furnishing of military assistance to the forces of France and the Associated States in Indochina and the dispatch of a military mission to provide dose working relations with those forces.

I know that all members of the United Nations will consider carefully the consequences of this latest aggression in Korea in defiance of the Charter of the United Nations. A return to the rule of force in international affairs would have far-reaching effects. The United States will continue to uphold the rule of law.

Philippines: an island nation in Southeast Asia

Indochina: An area of Southeast Asia under French control, today the countries of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Rule of force: to exercise power through use of strength or violence

Rule of law: political ideal that all people, countries, and companies are accountable to follow the agreed upon laws

Comprehension and Analysis Questions

  1. Who is President Truman’s audience for this statement?
  2. How does President Truman describe the threat of communism?
  3. Why does President Truman say he was sending troops to Korea?
  4. The Framers often used the words “energy” and “dispatch” when discussing the office of the president. Is this an example of the president exercising energy and dispatch? Why?
  5. What formal constitutional process does this action circumvent?
  6. What are the possible dangers of not involving Congress in this decision?
  7. Is this an abuse of the president’s constitutionally designated role?
  8. How would Congress still be able to check President Truman’s actions, should they disagree?
  9. Is Truman acting as Commander-in-Chief?  How so (or why not)?