Encircled by two other major conflicts, World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean War is often lost to history despite the countless effects it had on various countries. After World War II when Japan surrendered, the Korean Peninsula was finally free from decades of Japanese imperialism; however in the years that followed, more conflict and increased tensions occurred that ultimately led to the start of the Korean War in June 1950, just five years after the end of World War II. While many overlook the impacts of the Korean War, it must be understood and enforced that the war truly did change the course of how many countries governed themselves and the relationships between countries. Not only did the war gain attention in Asia, but also from Western countries, specifically the United States. How did the United States’ involvement in the war most prominently affect both the United States and the Korean peninsula, and secondarily, should it …show more content…
With the United States’ involvement in the war affecting the country politically, economically, and socially, as well as the United States’ actions influencing the development of the Korean peninsula, the Korean War warrants a more significant position in the retelling of American history. After Japan withdrew their influence from the Korean Peninsula, the United States and the Soviet Union still had to come to a consensus on how they themselves would deal with the peninsula after World War II to avoid further conflict. Shortly after the war, the two countries decided to follow the suggestion of the United States and divide the peninsula along the 38th parallel. Once divided, the south would surrender to the United States, while the more communist north would surrender to the Soviet Union. The division was not originally thought to be permanent, however ended up being the first step in creating even more tension within the Korean Peninsula
Since the Korean War, all American presidents have pursued the same basic policy toward the Korean Peninsula. The first priority for American presidents has been protecting, nurturing and promoting South Korea. During the Cold War, U.S. leaders regarded it as essential to check communist expansion and the deaths of nearly 34,000 Americans in the Korean War made it politically unacceptable at home to again risk the loss of South Korea. This led to the signing of a security treaty with the ROK in 1953, the stationing of American military forces in South Korea to this day and large-scale support for South Korea in earlier decades. Due to South Korea’s later economic success and democratization, Americans came to regard it as a model of the benefits
Korea’s history already determined it was a weak country, having been a pawn for Far Eastern powers, so Cold War had left it nearly destroyed with epidemics, poverty, limited education, and authoritarian rulers (LaFeber, 2008). In this state, Korea was left vulnerable to communism. In 1945, the 38th parallel marked the ally agreement of disarming the occupying Japanese military, however by the end of the Korean War, it would be the indivisible line that divided the country between communism and democracy (LaFeber, 2008). In June 1950, when North Korean troops passed the 38th parallel, President Truman gave the order for American air and naval units to move into action to aid South Korea and to show the United States’ opponents that “the United States was no longer content with mere “containment” but now aimed for liberation (LaFeber, 2008, p. 114). LaFeber (2008) explains President Truman’s intent, “
The Korean War began in the early hours of June 25, 1950. The North Korean troops carried out their surprise attack on South Korea without any declaration of war. The North and South had experienced some clashes along the 38th parallel before, where North and South Korea had been divided. However, they never had such an unexpected attack in the Southern Camp. They were completely unprepared and weren’t properly equipped for such a sudden event.
Following WWII, in 1945, the division of Korea was initiated. The Soviet Union established a pro-communist government on the Northside of Korea and Americans created a pro-democratic government on the Southside of Korea. After the division, known as the 38th parallel, occurred, North Korea began to attack again. This attack consisted of both the South and North pushing each other farther from the 38th parallel until the Chinese troops drove them back to the 38th parallel. The United States and The Soviet Union knew the war was not going anywhere but still persisted to continue.
‘Under the leadership of the U.S, the South Korean forces pushed the invaders past the originally established 38th parallel, to the Yalu River that bordered the People's Republic of China (P.R.C). After which, the P.R.C quickly counter attacked and, after 2 years of futile war at the 38th parallel, agreed to the original border.’ (Crash Course, 2013). These excerpts from this source represent the widely accepted reasoning behind the actions that transpired during the war and indicate further information about the events within it. Evidence from both Professor Lee and Crash Course reveal the causes of the Korean War and the reasons for its proxy of the Cold War status.
The Korean War was a war between communism and democracy of the two separated Koreas. In 1950, the Korean War, a war supported with allies from all over the world, began when North Korea invaded the South. Canada, one of the significant allies of South Korea, was of major importance when defending the South from the communist North. Many Canadians believe that Canada's contributions during the Korean War were forgotten, while others argue that Canada’s significance in the war is commemorated. The purpose of this essay is to answer the statement; “Examine Canada’s contribution to the Korean War”.
The result was the U.S withdrawal in 1975. Ho Chi Minh was admired by people and Americans were seen as imperalists Americans went back home against the war. Korean War The Soviets forced a communist government on North Korea. This led to the formation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1948.
North Korea’s problems with the United States of America did not just start in the 2000’s. In the first half of the 20th century before the Korean war, Japan controlled the Korean peninsula. That dramatically changed in the year 1945 at the end of WWII (Park 2013). A few years later, the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 changed North Korea’s history even more, along with their economic status.
The Korean War (1950-1953) was once regarded as “the forgotten war”. The division of Two Koreas along 38th parallel has gone through more than half the century. To date, Korea is no longer the Hermit Kingdom. Korean Peninsula has been an escalated issue of international front stage. Throughout the 1990s, forecast predictions, like when and how, towards the reunification issue became common.
In the late 1940’s until the early 1990’s, there was a state of political and military tension after World War ll that caused a global conflict. It was known as the Cold War, fought between powers in the United States and their allies and powers in the Soviet Union; also known as Russia, and its allies. Along with this major history changing event, were many other events such as the Space Race, the Vietnam war, and the Korean War. The Korean War had become known as the “The Forgotten War” due to it being overshadowed by the more immediate memories of Vietnam, Desert Storm and the 15 anniversary commemorations of World War II.
In retrospect, however, the United States should not have entered the war. Not being a part of the war would have saved American lives and money, potentially eliminated PTSD in a generation on soldiers, and would have prevented the animosity that exist between the United States and North Korea that dominates the headlines today. The Korean War was fought between two major wars, Word War II and the Vietnam War. Due to being fought between these major wars, the Korean War is known as “The Forgotten War.” The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 and ended July 23, 1953.
July 1953, on the Korean peninsula lays the 38th parallel; stood there the beginning of two divided countries, North and South Korea. North Korea backed by the Soviet Union with a communistic glance at the world, while South Korea was leaning more towards democracy. These two countries divided at the 38th parallel also known as the demilitarized zone which acts as a border and cease fire agreement. Since the separation, North Korea has maintained their communist characteristics, keeping their country a secret inside and out.
The Korean War was a war between North and South Korea from 1950 - 1953. According to Gale Encyclopedia of World History, “When World War II ended, Korea was one of several nations artificially divided and occupied by members of the victorious Allied coalition.” North Korea invaded South Korea so they could take over all of Korea because they wanted to bring the whole county back to one. Not only did they go about this the wrong way, in the end of the war, the divisions remained the same as they were in the beginning of the war.
In 1945, the peninsula was divided into two which was North Korea the communist state, and South Korea was non-communist state. To conclude, I think this is why North Korea invaded south korea in the 1950’s. Their war had ended three years later in 1953. Since then these 2 haven’t got along. Neither side was victorious, but on another hand America own a strip of land between these two.70 million were living in korea this