1951 Fall 2011

• In early 1951, the Chinese army was contained and forced to retreat.

• In mid 1951, the front lines became stable where the war started a year earlier. Negotiations began to spring hopes that an early truce could be arranged.

• In July 1951, President Truman and his new military commanders started to negotiate peace by talking with Panmunjom.

However, the fighting continued along the 38th parallel as negotiations took place.

Both were willing to agree on a ceasefire that maintained the 38th parallel boundary.

However they could not agree on whether war prisoners should be forcibly “repatriated.”

The contending forces fought on, with the U.S. Navy providing massive air and gunfire support, which became a constant amphibious threat.

Finally, both sides came to a disagreement of the Chinese and North Koreans saying yes and the United states saying no.