Activity 1 - How did the conflict develop?

  1. Research - Complete this worksheet examining the course of the Korean War. Using the Lesson Presentation and the resources below, investigate the actions of both the ROK/UNC and NKPA/CVA forces:
    1. BBC Bitesize. The Korean War, 1950-1953 - The Cold War, 1948-1960 - OCR A - GCSE History Revision - OCR A - BBC Bitesize. (2020). 
    2. History.com Editors. (2009, November 9). Korean War. HISTORY. 
    3. Malkasian, C. (2001). Osprey Essential Histories: The Korean War 1950-1953, pp. 18-53
    4. Rank, S. (2018, October 22). Korean War In-Depth: From Beginning to Armistice. History; History. 
    5. Sicard, S. (2020, June 25). A brief history of the Korean War. Military Times; Military Times. 
    6. Wikipedia Contributors. (2020, September 26). Korean War. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. 
  2. Discuss - Examine the criteria on how to measure historical significance. What were the most significant turning points of the conflict?

Activity 2 - What was the nature of the war?

  1. Watch - Watch one of the following documentaries about the Korean War and add details about the nature of the fighting to your worksheets:
    1. Our Time in Hell: The Korean War 
    2. Korean War in Colour (Documentary)
    3. Korea - The Forgotten War 
    4. Korean War 1950-1953 - Stalemate and Armistice
    5. Korean War 1950-1953 - Chinese Intervention 1950
  2. Create - Using your research notes on the evolution of the conflict, make a timeline using Padlet or infographic using canva to illustrate how the conflict developed. Include at least ten events. Make sure each event has an image, date, and short description.
  3. Extend - Research the term ‘limited war’ - why was Korea called a ‘limited war’? What problems are there with calling Korea a ‘limited war’? What other examples of limited wars can you find in the 20th and 21st centuries?

Activity 3 - What forces fought in the war?

  1. Research - Choose one of the following nations that fought during the Korean War. Using pages 6-36 of Thomas, N., & Abbott, P. (1986). Osprey Men at Arms: The Korean War 1950-1953, and the internet, make some brief notes on the nature and extent of their military contribution to the campaign:
    1. Communist - DPRK, PRC, USSR
    2. UNC - ROK, US, UK, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, France, Netherlands, Greece, Belgium-Luxemburg, Ethiopia, Columbia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Australia, New Zealand
  2. Present - Create a short 2-3 mins visual presentation illustrating the nature and extent of the military contribution of your nation to the Korean War.
  3. Discuss - To what extent could the US have defeated the DPRK/PRC without the support of UNC forces?

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Williamson, D.G. (2015). Access to History for the IB Diploma - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries, pp. 114-119
RECOMMENDED READING
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Malkasian, C. (2001). Osprey Essential Histories: The Korean War 1950-1953, pp. 18-53
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