Reading Comprehension Questions

The following questions are based on the article "The Cold War Turns Hot" (abridged).

1) During what years was the war in Korea fought?

2) At the end of the Second World War, who occupied the north part of Korea? The South?

3) Who officially approved the defending of South Korea? What country was in charge?

4) What was the significance of victory at Inchon?

5) Why was MacArthur eventually removed from his position of leader of the US forces in Korea?

6) Why did the Chinese enter the conflict in Korea?

7) What changes occurred that led to resolving the peace negotiations at Panmunjom, North Korea?

	Other articles that lend themselves well to reading comprehension activities:
	The Armed Forces Integrate
	What Communist Leaders Were Thinking
	Korea and the Cold War at Home
	24th Infantry - The Last Segregated Regiment

[^Return to top]

Listening Comprehension Questions

The following questions are based on "Oral History Archive: Race."

1) How were African-American soldiers discriminated against at home—before they went to Korea?

2) African-American soldiers experienced discrimination in Korea as well; describe one of these negative experiences.

3) How did the North Koreans make the situation worse for African-American soldiers?

4) What does one interviewee (Roy Flint) believe about the possibility of integration?

[^Return to top]

Critical Thinking Questions

Part 1: The following questions are based on "Oral History Archive: Interview with Curtis Morrow."

Discussion questions:
1) How did Curtis Morrow feel about being assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment?

2) Why did Mr. Morrow volunteer? How old was he?

3) Why did Mr. Morrow leave the base only once during basic training at Fort Riley?

4) What was Mr. Morrow's first impression of Korea?

5) What were some of the hardships the soldiers faced fighting in Korea?

6) Describe Morrow's reaction to white soldiers. What was the common bond between the black and white soldiers?


Opposing viewpoints:
To explore the issues raised in the article, conduct an informal debate in response to the following statement by dividing the students into supporters and opponents.

STATEMENT: Although the military resisted integration, a diverse fighting force made the U.S. army stronger during the Korean War.

Part 2: The following questions are based on the article/interview "Oral History Archive: Interview with Bill Peterson."

Discussion questions:
1) How did William Peterson react to his encounter with the officer from Macon, Georgia, named Tammy J. Bowden?

2) Where did most of the prejudice toward black soldiers come from?

3) How does Peterson feel about his lengthy career in the military? Was he treated fairly?

4) How did most young people of his generation feel about the military?

5) In what ways did the military help lead the civil rights movement?

6) What happened to many officers who disagreed withe the executive order to integrate the armed services?


Opposing viewpoints:
To explore the issues raised in the article, conduct an informal debate in response to the following statement by dividing the students into supporters and opponents.

STATEMENT: The military was well chosen as a sector of U.S. society in which to begin integration.

[^Return to top]

Research Challenges

1) Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? Why were they not included in the U.S. history until recent times?

2) What is the background of the Tuskegee Airmen? In what ways was their success an inspiration to the Civil Rights movement?

3) In what ways has the role of black soldiers changed from war to war since the Civil War? How has the image of the U.S. soldier changed from war to war since WWII?

4) What were the causes of the Korean War from different views: U.S., N. Korean, S. Korean, China, and USSR?

5) Compare the causes of the Korean War to the causes of the Vietnam War, Gulf Wars and the current military action in Afghanistan.

[^Return to top]

Key Terms

The following words, names, and places are taken from "The Cold War Turns Hot" (abridged).

[^Return to top]