1951 Stalemate
1951 Stalemate: http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/019/19-10/CMH_Pub_19-10.pdf
The stalemate that began in Korea from July of 1951 through 1953 consisted of peace talks while fighting continued making the war appear "static". Men fought to hold ground that had already been gained and gain background lost to the enemy. Washington, D.C. leader did not wish to expand the fighting, U.S. citizens grew weary of the war and people longed for an end to this conflict. The major holdup to the peace negotiations was "Prisoners of War". The cease fire did not occur until July 27, 1953 and a voluntary return of POWs begins under United Nations supervision.
President Truman relieves General MacArthur of his duties!
Memorandum for Mr. Harriman, Mr. Murphy, and Company from George Elsey, 1951
May 29, 1951
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HARRIMAN, MR. MURPHY, AND COMPANY
I don't like to be a kill-joy but I wonder if we aren't a little too optimistic about the way things are going on the MacArthur row. I think we may be over-optimistic about the extent to which the public understands the President's position and sympathizes with the Administration in the firing of MacArthur. I don't see that we have any cause for joy because conservative newspapers like the Herald Tribune side with the President on this issue. The Herald Tribune's readers will always oppose the Fair Deal and all it stands for.
The Gallup Poll published on May 16th contained what I thought were some very disturbing statistics. It shows that the vote of approval for the President's action in firing MacArthur goes down steadily with the amount of formal education. Gallup tested a cross-section in "Who's Who" and found that 51% approved the President's action and 46% disapproved. However, only 25% of the general public approved and 66% disapproved.
It seems to me that we cannot afford to slack off in our constant emphasis and reiteration that MacArthur stood for war and the President stands for peace. This and this alone will sink in with the general public, while technical arguments about "civilian control" won't mean a thing to the people at large.
George Elsey
(American Experience)
May 29, 1951
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HARRIMAN, MR. MURPHY, AND COMPANY
I don't like to be a kill-joy but I wonder if we aren't a little too optimistic about the way things are going on the MacArthur row. I think we may be over-optimistic about the extent to which the public understands the President's position and sympathizes with the Administration in the firing of MacArthur. I don't see that we have any cause for joy because conservative newspapers like the Herald Tribune side with the President on this issue. The Herald Tribune's readers will always oppose the Fair Deal and all it stands for.
The Gallup Poll published on May 16th contained what I thought were some very disturbing statistics. It shows that the vote of approval for the President's action in firing MacArthur goes down steadily with the amount of formal education. Gallup tested a cross-section in "Who's Who" and found that 51% approved the President's action and 46% disapproved. However, only 25% of the general public approved and 66% disapproved.
It seems to me that we cannot afford to slack off in our constant emphasis and reiteration that MacArthur stood for war and the President stands for peace. This and this alone will sink in with the general public, while technical arguments about "civilian control" won't mean a thing to the people at large.
George Elsey
(American Experience)
A dispute between President Harry S. Truman and General Douglas MacArthur in 1951, during the Korean War. MacArthur, who commanded the troops of the United Nations, wanted to use American air power to attack the People's Republic Of China. Truman refused, fearing that an American attack on China would bring the Soviet Union into the war. When MacArthur criticized Truman's decision publicly, Truman declared MacArthur insubordinate and removed him as commanding general. MacArthur returned to the United States, received a hero's welcome, and told Congress, “Old soldiers never die; they only fade away.”