The Korean War.

Elias Chamoun 20th century topics R5 - Richardson The Korean War Referred to by many as being "the forgotten war", the Korean War played a big role in shaping the cold war, though many people tend to disregard that. It began with the North Korean surprise attack in June 1950. The reasons for that attack are still a mystery till this day. After WW2, Korea was divided into two sections, North and South, by the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied North Korea and a communist government was established under the leadership of Kim Il Sung. The United States on the other hand, occupied South Korea, and a democratic government was set up there under the leadership of Syngman Rhee. After failing to agree on the fate of Korea and the type of government that should be established, both superpowers contented with the 38th parallel and thus Korea was divided between a communist North and democratic South. Many explanations were given to what caused the North Korean attack. Some suggested that Stalin wanted to create problems for China because of Mao's refusal to submit to Stalin's authority. Others suggest that Mao was seeking to expand his influence in East Asia and started with Korea. And finally, some suggest that the Korean War was an internal affair, in which the North wanted to incorporate the South into its authority. Those were possible, but unlikely explanations. The one

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Korean War

Year 11 Australian Studies: The Korean War By Adam Rau Introduction After the end of the Second World War, communities were still coming to terms with the devastation which that conflict had caused, and the millions it had killed. Yet only five years after the end of this war, another was to break out, and again Australia would commit its forces. It was the Korean War. Korea was a place that few Australians knew much about, until 1950. From 1950-53, 17,000 Australians in the Army, Navy and Air Force fought as part of the United Nations force, defending South Korea from the Communist force of North Korea. After the war ended, Australians remained in Korea for four years as military observers. Since then, Australia has maintained a presence. Australia's involvement in the Korean War won much praise from other nations. Awards and decorations given to Australians during the war totalled 615, while awards given to Australians by other countries numbered 173. Australia also gained many political and security benefits, the most important being the signing of the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand. ANZUS joined the nations of Australia, New Zealand and the United States in a defence security pact for the Pacific region. Representatives of the governments of the three nations signed the agreement in Canberra on 1 September 1951 From Australia and New Zealand's

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Korean propaganda during the Second World War and the Korean War had a different effect upon the Korean society.

Korean propaganda during the Second World War and the Korean War had a different effect upon the Korean society. Alice Kim In the subject of History ABSTRACT Propaganda was widely spread over radio, papers, posters, and by word of mouth during the Second World War and the Korean War. Korea was a participant in both wars, World War II, being enslaved by Japan, and also the Korean War, a civil war. Propaganda in these two wars did differ, because they were dictated. But how did these two wars differ in affecting Korean citizens? The research question will be answered through research conducted through interviews. During the Second World War, propaganda to Korean civilians was severely dictated by the Japanese. A separation in classes occurred between the higher elites, and the middle and lower class peasants. The higher elites spread Japanese propaganda to fellow Koreans in return of respect and large sums of money. On the other hand, there was an intense unification with the lower and middle class peasants who came together in hatred, anger, and frustration aiming at the Japanese. As for the Korean War, similarly, there was an apparent chaotic segregation between the Northern Communists and the Southern Democrats of Korea. Propaganda was partly to blame for the intensity of bitterness it caused between the two Koreas. -1- -TABLE OF CONTENTS- . Introduction 2.

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Consequences of the Korean War.

Consequences of the Korean War There have been many discussions of what has happened to Americans since the end of the Korean War, but in states not much has been said about the state of Korea since the war. I find this quite interesting because South Korea was it's ally, not just another country they were at war with. To this day North and South Korea are still divided by the 38th parallel. After the war ended and the armistice was signed, North Koreans and South Koreans despised one another more than ever before. The North seeing most Southerners as "Japanese collaborators" during the Imperialist days from 1910 - 1945, and the South viewing the North as an uncontrollable militaristic bully. Immediately after the war, Syngman Rhee took control of the South Korean government and governed in such a manner that caused social unrest by the citizens of South Korea. The people became tired of the lack of lacking their freedoms and a coup occurred in 1961 when military general Park Chung Hee became the new head of state. Although somewhat unpopular due to his dictator-like actions, the people grew to love Park as a leader. This was due to his ability to deliver what the people truly wanted; economic success. Park developed an export economy that likened to Japan's and was able to produce this by building a superior export-economy. Under Park's direction, South Korea flourished,

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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Consequences of the Korean War.

Consequences of the Korean War As mentioned previously, the war officially began on June 25, 1950 - lasting approximately 3 years and ending with the Armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953. Interestingly though, after only 1 year of fighting on July 10, 1951 armistice negotiations had already begun. But it took negotiators over two years to settle regional skirmishes and finally sign the agreement.3 Although the armistice agreement was reached, a peace treaty between North and South Korea was never signed and the war between the two bitter enemies has never formally ceased. In a political and societal view, this war still does exist today as the North Koreans and South Koreans still argue over who is "right and wrong". Effects of the war on Korea Division of a Nation There have been many discussions of what has happened to Americans since the end of the Korean War, but in our country not much has been said about the state of Korea since the war. I find this quite interesting because South Korea was our ally, not just another country we were at war with. To this day North and South Korea are still divided by the 38th parallel. After the war ended and the armistice was signed, North Koreans and South Koreans despised one another more than ever before. The North seeing most Southerners as "Japanese collaborators" during the Imperialist days from 1910 - 1945, and the

  • Word count: 1235
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Korean War and Superpower relations

The Korean War started on 25 June 1950 when North Korea forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea, which was considered and unprovoked aggression by the North Korea. The conflict between North Korea leader Kim Il Sung and South Korean leader Syngman Ree started out as one without any connections to the Cold War, until interference of USA and USSR. The Korean War in itself was significant as it marked the first time the Cold War was extended outside Europe to Asia. Moreover, the Korean War saw the emergence of several watershed events in the wider Cold War context, such as the entry of new parties in the Cold War conflict, an intensification of the policy of containment as well as development of the Cold War into an increasingly globalized conflict and the change in nature of the Cold War. The Korean War was significant in intensifying American misunderstanding of Soviet political and strategic aims which led to increasing tensions between the two Super Powers. Truman's conviction was that the USSR was expansionistic and aggressive, and they were not going to stop until they had world dominance. Stalin was seen as the main instigator of the attack and Kim Il Sung was thought to be Stalin's puppet while China was seen to be a monolithic community bloc together with the USSR. Thus the North Korean attack against South Korea was perceived to be a Soviet-inspired

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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"How was the Korean War Significant?"

"How was the KoreaWar Significant?" Following World War II both Russiaand the U.S.interested in securing spheres of influence in order to spread their respective ideologies. Already prior to this Koreaand its neighbour Manchuriahad been of great importance to the USSR, and now this interest returned. In August 1945, shortly after Japanhad surrendered to the allies, Russian made an attempt to occupy Korea. The U.S.not wanting to make the same mistake with "appeasement" as they had done with Hitler, moved into southern Koreain order to contain communist spreading. Now, similarly to the situation in Germanyat the time, Koreawas split in two along the 38th parallel. North Korea became Communist and South Korea became anti-Communist and under U.S. control, the scene was set for the first conflict of the Cold War. The Korean War actually broke out on June 25th 1950when North Koreacrossed the 38th parallel invading South Korea. The NKPA (North Korean People's Army) managed to gain quick victories over the South Korea, due to their weaponry and tanks that they had gotten from Russia. Although the U.S.had previously said that they did not consider "South Korea a vital part of [their] defense perimeter in Asia", Truman committed U.S.naval and Air support to South Korea. Although Koreawas clearly not a strategically important to the U.S. it was probably the tense political situation

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The Causes of the Korean War in 1950

How far was the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 'made in Moscow'? (2004) That the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 was 'made in Moscow' is to assume that the Korean War was essentially an extension of the Cold War and not locally driven. Since the Soviet Union was the only other superpower to challenge the United States of America in the Cold War period following the end of the Second World War in 1945, it would not be erroneous to connect the interests of Moscow to with the Cold War motivations of the Soviet Union. The above statement, though, while suggests that the origins of the Korean War is found in the Cold War rivalry, does not preclude the possibility that local factors such as rivalry between national leaders might have blown the scale of war as to escalate the Cold War tensions between the two superpowers. However, one must also note that in stopping the buck at the Soviet Union alone, there is a danger that the US stake or even interests in the war would not be accounted for, hence painting a lop-sided view of the situation. Nevertheless, in terms of the beginnings, it is fair to focus the attention on the Soviet Union, which frankly gave the first go-ahead sign to the invading North Koreans, who otherwise would probably not have charged ahead, or at least not then. The central issue here would be to determine whether the Korean War was

  • Word count: 2407
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Was the Korean War a Product of the Cold War tensions?

Was the Korean War a Product of the Cold War tensions? A. Plan of Investigation. The aim of this investigation is to asses if the Korean War was a product of the Cold war tensions. This investigation evaluates the long and short term causes of the Korean War. As well as looking at the Cold War as a factor for the Korean war I will also go on to evaluate the importance of internal factors such as Korea wanting to become self determined. I will be looking at the role of the opposing ideologies (communism vs. capitalism) and at the role China took in the Korean War. B. Summary of Evidence. In the long term the conflict occurred as a by-product of the Cold War tensions, this began after WW2. The USA no longer saw the Soviet Union as its ally but now as an enemy seeking to dominate the world1. By 1949 the cold war tensions were at boiling point because of such events such as the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Aid, and the Berlin Blockade. The USSR and America also had opposing ideologies (communism vs. capitalism)2. After F.Roosevelt died in April 1945 H.Truman took over as president3. He regarded the Soviet Union as an ideological rival prepared to use treason, disruption, and bullying tactics to promote communism and gain ground and power in Europe4. He saw the creation of satellite states in Eastern Europe as proof of a Soviet aim to spread communist control abroad5. To counter

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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The US intervention in Korean War was solely because of North Korean agression

'The US intervention in the Korean war was caused entirely by the aggressive behaviour of N. Korea.' How far do you agree with this judgement? The true reason as to why the US intervened in the Korean war has created a lot of conflicting answers from many historians. The aggression behaviour of North Korea inherently contributed into US intervention. Historians believed that this was another event in a civil war that had been raging since Korea had been divided. Kim Il Sung was seen by Stalin as someone who is capable to destroy left wing factions in the north and his ability to unite the people under a communist leadership. On 25th of June 1950 North Korean invaded the south in a clear act of invasion which quickly brought the attention to the US. It is arguable that the Americans, keen on human rights and democracy, provided military assistance to Syngman Rhee in the south in order to stop further expansion of communism. One of the reasons why the Americans urged to stop the spread of communism is due to the pressures from home. The 'red-scare' started by McCarthy threatened Truman's popularity as the people's president. He was accused of supporting communism and employing closet communists under his administration. The fact that North Korea invaded the south provided the perfect opportunity for Truman to take action and convince the public that he was no more communist

  • Word count: 455
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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