April 11, 1951: President Harry Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur for what Truman considered insubordinate comments about the Korean War. MacArthur wanted to intensify the fight against China (which entered the war in November 1950) and POTUS refused. MacArthur's firing was controversial. The general, a World War II hero who commanded Allied forces in the Pacific, and was later put in charge of the occupation of Japan, was very popular, and many Americans disagreed with the president's decision. But Truman, who disagreed with the general's recommendation, was incensed that MacArthur made a series of public remarks that contradicted administration policy.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 9, 2025Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - proportional protests, shakedown diplomacy, and more
-
A wine-themed tour of beautiful UruguayThe Week Recommends Secret paradise in South America boasts beautiful vineyards
-
Romanian democracy: no place for the 'TikTok messiah' Calin GeorgescuTalking Point State is 'fighting back' against poster boy for right-wing conspiracists
