MacArthur Relieved of Duties
As the Chinese forced the US and South Koreans back down the peninsula, the hope that the war would soon end had been washed from the US South Koreans. MacArthur understood this as an entirely new war, one not necessarily with North Korea, but more so with China. MacArthur proposed bombing the Chinese supply lines, in China, and a blockade of the Chinese coast. These proposals were not approved of by President Truman, who wanted to work the war out diplomatically. The visions of President Truman and MacArthur differed too greatly. MacArthur wanted to liberate all of the Korean peninsula, while Truman only wanted to insure the safety of Korea south of the 38th parallel.
Regardless, the Chinese invasion was pushing the US lead troops south again, and any progress that had been made was quickly destroyed. Seoul was again in the hands of the North Koreans. MacArthur did not give up his stance that China must be invaded. He called for a mainland attack on China publicly criticizing President Truman. MacArthur said that President Truman was pushing a no win policy, and that they could not win a war with “one hand tied behind their back.” The war began to rapidly slow down as President Truman relieved MacArthur from his duties on April 11th, 1951 after these criticisms. He was replaced by General Matthew Ridgeway. |
President Truman with General MacArthur
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