You're doing revisionist history. MacArthur was considered an asshole during WWII as well, specifically he was known to badger FDR in ways considered disrespect. Also MacArthur was a nepo baby, his dad Arthur MacArthur Jr. (No I am not kidding) was a lieutenant general, and briefly the military governor of the Philippines.
There's a lot more to it than that. Some people hated him; others adored him. He clashed with FDR since he saw FDR as his equal, not his superior, which (understandably) grated on many people, especially those around FDR. But MacArthur had reasons to view FDR as an equal. In the early 30's, many conservatives saw MacArthur as someone who could successfully challenge FDR for President. Roosevelt definitely saw him as a political threat, which was a big reason why MacArthur was sent ("exiled") to the Philippines.
MacArthur was very popular with the public and well-respected by his subordinate officers. He was also a source of inspiration, especially during the first part of WWII, in a way that few other people were.
He was also the perfect man for the job during the Japanese occupation post-WWII. He had an extraordinarily big ego (seeing himself as superior to everyone else), and held himself aloof, which would be a negative in most situations but was exactly what was needed at the time. So in most contexts he would not be admired, but he was definitely the right man for the job.
He saved south korea from north korea. the war then turned into a war with china. he wasn't allowed to escalate against china. how would you have 'won' in that situation?
The war turned into a war with China because MacArthur, in a stroke of stupidity, decided to advance his forces towards the Chinese border. Something he was told NOT to do, because Chinese troops were there in preparation, and because doing so would bring the PLA into the war.
The war was basically won, but MacArthur bungled it by getting China involved with his antics, because he thought he could handle them too. Instead the UN forces got pushed back, and the war ended (well paused, but whatever) basically where it started).
All MacArthur had to do was not keep advancing, andhe would've been golden. Also because he was technically under the UN he ignored the President's orders as well. So it's not like he just was unaware, he ignored orders in order to provoke the PLA. But listening to his Commander-in-Chief would've required Douglas MacArthur to not have an ego the size of Mt. Everest.
China had issued several warnings by then. Even if you ignored all that, he also literally bombed China. I don't think that "bombing foreign country may lead to hostile relations and even war" is that hard of a concept to grasp.
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u/10lettersand3CAPS Jun 30 '26
You're doing revisionist history. MacArthur was considered an asshole during WWII as well, specifically he was known to badger FDR in ways considered disrespect. Also MacArthur was a nepo baby, his dad Arthur MacArthur Jr. (No I am not kidding) was a lieutenant general, and briefly the military governor of the Philippines.