Compare and contrast the policies of the USA and USSR towards Korea between 1945 and 1955

Causes of the Korean War

Korea had been part of the Japanese empire since 1910, but was invaded by the Red Army and American troops. Since then, Korea had been jointly occupied by the Soviet Union and the American forces at the end of World War II. The nation was divided into two parts by the 38th Parallel, a line of demarcation pending the creation of a single Korean government. However, there was no agreement on who would run the country. Subsequently, the imbalance of power between the Soviets and Americans lead to a civil war, aiming to unify the country, with each side claiming to be the legitimate government and threatening to invade the other.
Two key points caused a shift in the balance of power between the United States and the Soviet Union. The imbalance between the two superpowers made evident of the tension between the two, and so, through Korea, a war broke out. One of the key points was when the USSR developed a nuclear bomb on its own. At this point, the United States' “ace card” no longer held its worth, and knew that if they used the Atomic Bomb, the USSR would do the same. The USA had not anticipated the fast developments in the USSR and became threatened by this power.
Another cause of the shift in balance was when China fell to the Communism of Mao Zedong. During the Civil War, the USA had given limited support to the Nationalists. This action made it seem to the Chinese that the Americans deemed China unworthy of American support. Then, with Communism being more favorable in China, Nationalism came to a down-fall. The conflict in Korea gave the United Nations a chance to prevent the further multiplication of Communism throughout the world.
NSC-68: 'Total Commitment'
This encouraged military and economic support to any countries perceived by the United States of America to be resisting Communism. This report, by the National Security Council, lead to the Americans defending the South Koreans from the invasions of the Communists in North Korea.
Where the superpowers were to take joint responsibility for repatriating Japanese forces, it was meant to be a temporary arrangement. The United States and the Soviet Union agreed at the Council of Foreign Ministers' Moscow Conference on the creation of a Korean provisional government, leading to independence. This became increasingly difficult to achieve over time because the USA and USSR became less willing to co-operate, adding onto the tense atmosphere of the Cold War.
A United Nations Commission decided to hold an election in Korea, but the communists in North Korea refused to allow it to happen, even if they had to observe another election election in the South in May 1948. Though most Koreans opposed partition, the Republic of Korea was set up under the name of Syngman Rhee, it was an undemocratic and strongly anti-Communist group, recognized as legitimate by the United Nations General Assembly. In response, the DPRK was founded by Kim Il Sung in the North, which was recognized by the Communist bloc.
Both Kim Il Sung, the leader of the DRPK, and Syngman Rhee, anti-communist of the South, were very similar people, though their political beliefs were different. They were both Korean nationalists, who wanted to unite Korea, and saw themselves as the leader of the united Korea. The hostility between Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee sparked off the civil war, with the two superpowers backing each side up. Kim Il Sung was the main trigger. His surprise attacks on South Korea astounded the other countries. Syngman Rhee was pushed back from the 38th Parallel. This showed that without American support, Syngman Rhee may not have been able to hold their line at the Parallel.
Kim Il Sung played a major role in the development of Korea Civil War. He was a prominent symbol in Korea of success amongst the people. He was who reached out to the Soviets in support for the attack, and pressed huge amounts of effort into persuading Stalin to support him.
Syngman Rhee, the South Korean president, repeatedly sought support from the Americans for his ambitions to liberate the north from officials in Washington, as well as from Genera Douglas MacArthur, but he never got it.
Stalin was an ambitious man.

He was hopeful for world revolution. The fact that the Communists had won the Chinese Civil War, the atomic bomb acquired, and the West facing economic difficulties made Stalin more confident of the Soviet Union's influence in Asia. This may be one of the reasons for his support to Kim Il Sung's invasion of South Korea, though he initially had no interest in the warfare.
Another reason may have been that due to United States having already gained influence in Asia (their role in Japan, turning it into a strong anti-Communist base). Stalin may have believed, that if ...

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He was hopeful for world revolution. The fact that the Communists had won the Chinese Civil War, the atomic bomb acquired, and the West facing economic difficulties made Stalin more confident of the Soviet Union's influence in Asia. This may be one of the reasons for his support to Kim Il Sung's invasion of South Korea, though he initially had no interest in the warfare.
Another reason may have been that due to United States having already gained influence in Asia (their role in Japan, turning it into a strong anti-Communist base). Stalin may have believed, that if he gained control over South Korea, this could secure the USSR's position in North-East Asia.

Stalin's “green-light” to Kim Il Sung was part of a larger strategy for seizing opportunities in East Asia. Victories in both Korea and Cina would maintain the momentum generated by Mao's victory previously. If Stalin had not given his approval, perhaps things would've changed drastically. However, Stalin was cautious of supporting the attack. So instead, Kim Il Sung had to sought out Mao Zedong for more support.

China's new found power led Mao Zedong to want to show his support to neighboring countries. Also, Mao was worried about invasions from Yalu River. Mao was every eager to legitimize their revolution by winning Stalin's approval, and therefore was more than willing to provide backup support for Kim Il Sung's attack.
The attack surprised Mao, the Americans, and the South Koreans. Kim Il Sung originally planned to win the war quickly. The Americans only gave their support after the sudden invasion from North Korea to South Korea. Stalin had not anticipated the effect his support to Kim Il Sung would have on the Americans: it was almost a shock as great as the one on Pearl Harbour, its consequences were severe. South Korea in itself was of little importance to the global balance of power. But that it was so blatantly invaded across the 38th Parallel, appeared to challenge the postwar collective security. This took merely hours to decide that the USA would defend South Korea, under also that of the United Nations.

Effects of the Korean War

Korean War caused globalization of the Cold War. After the war, most of the world was divided between Communism and Western controlled zones; the gap between Americans and the Soviet Union became wider and wider. Korea was the perfect example. The North was still occupied by communism, the South left republic, and fought hard for 50 years through bad leaders and quasi democracy to become the economical success they are now. The USA and the USSR found themselves now entailed into other conflicts in Asia, as well as in Europe, spreading onto developing worlds.
The Korean War was also the first time the Truman Doctrine, containment of the spread of communism, was put into action. It was the first time that the United Nations undertook a military operation. When the statement was pronounced, Truman made it clear when he framed his request as part of a general policy to “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” The doctrine was the first step to containing the Soviet Union, designed to prevent communist influence throughout Western Europe. The eruption of war in Korea in 1950 prompted the further expansion of the Truman Doctrine and the containment policy. The United States was committed to fighting communism in Asia and around the world.
Through the Korean War, the United States demonstrated that they would do everything possible to prevent the proliferation of communism; show casting great anti-communism across the US. It was a clear message that the West would not tolerate any threat to its allies or sphere of influence no matter how far away they are.
To maintain the increased military commitments, US defense spending increased by a large percent, running at 10% GNP in the 1950s. Since the war, the United Nations had led to a further expansion of military power; also growing the anti-communist feeling across the United States. It had brought both positive and negative effects to the world in general.
The Japanese' economy had most evidently grown. During the war, the Americans boosted the Japanese government. They needed a base in Asia, and Japan served as the perfect destination. This gave the Japanese economy a dynamic boot that brought a new beginning to Japan. It was no longer a place for rural planting, Japan was given the success after the depression WWII had brought; it would become the bulwark against Communism in Asia.
China's reputation grew and became a major power in the region, just as Mao Zedong had wanted. To many of the Chinese, it seemed their nation had “saved” North Korea from the Americans, and had took on the USA head on. It was a powerful feat. This not only increased China's reputation, but also of Mao Zedong's. However, due to this war, China was then isolated by the USA, and was condemned by the UN as an aggressor and prevented from taking a seat in the UN Security Council.

The resources in the homeland was diverted to the recovery of war effort. Meaning it would be a while before the Chinese could unite China and Taiwan. Until now, Taiwan is still not yet part of China (though it is going to be). Stalin's reluctance to help throughout the war also showed to Mao Zedong that he cannot rely on the Soviet Union's help and would be less bothered about the following events ahead (Moscow's lead).
Taiwan had to be defended by the United States against possible Communist invasion. Following the Korean War, the USA supported Taiwan's Chiang Kai-Shek with military and economical aid, continuing to recognize Taiwan as the official Chinese state until late 1971.
Though exact numbers are unknown, it is estimated that in China, PVA had a total casualty of over 100,000 people.
Because of this war, there would be a feeling of enmity between China and the United States that could last for decades. The memory of the war is felt strongly over Asia, the war has sustained the emotional bond and continuing alliance between Beijing and Pyongyang. While many privately subscribe to the view that North Korea was the aggressor in the war, driven only by Kim Il Sung's desire to unite Korea, the matter remains highly sensitive. China is in a position where political affairs determine much of their economical growth. The conclude, the Korean War has made China more formidable than ever.
China continued to conduct carefully between the two Koreas, even after normalizing relations with Seoul in August 1992. But China's trade with South Korea quickly surpassed its trade with North Korea. China particularly welcomed the investment from South Korea's conglomerates.
As it's become clear that China's communist neighbors had little interest in taking their advice to institute gradual economic reform, the Chinese became increasingly impatient.

As of it is, the nuclear confrontations between North Korea and the international community also worried the Chinese, who wanted neither a nuclear North Korea on their border nor an international embargo of North Korea.

The fear of communism led to the US to throw into Vietnam, to avoid another North Korea. This war had created a fear in the United States of the domino effects of communism.

As to the military conduct of the war in Vietnam, a senior American veteran of both Korea and Vietnam remarked, “We went into Korea with a very poor army, and came out with a pretty good one. We went into Vietnam with a pretty good army, and came out with a terrible one.”
The Korean War, to the Americans, was like a rehearsal for Vietnam a generation later. It may be argued that the United States have learned many of the wrong lessons from the experiences in Korea. The American Army emerged from Korea convinced that its vastly superior firepower and equipment could always defeat a poorly equipped Asian army if provided the opportunity to deploy them.

Results of the Korean War was not good for the USSR. It had brought the United States and Russia further apart. After the war, most of the world was divided between the Communist and Western controlled zones. The Soviets were able to administer the Northern sector while the West was made responsible for the South.
Many considered communism to be a bad thing from then on. Influences by the American government made people believe that the USSR was a totalitarian nation whose leader slaughtered anyone showing any signs of rebellion or individual aspires. President Truman was not the only man who thought so blatantly in the US, another man named Joseph R. McCarthy accused scores of government officials of being communists and spies.
The Korean War never ended. The inability of the two sides to resolve their differences meant that the two Koreas and their allies have had to remain on a battle ready state along the border ever since. South Korea and the United States have grown quite close since then. However, because it was considered naïve of the South Koreans to believe they still had a chance to unite Korea, the connection between the two countries became strained.
After destruction, bloodshed on both sides, the armistice of 27th July ended the war, but it was just a temporary cease-fire, and not a treaty of peace. The casualties were not small, though the exact figures are unknown.
South Korea is now an economic power, while North Korea is stricken with poverty. The effects of the war was devastating for the two sides of Korea.

North Korea suffered chronic economic problems since the war, and has never recovered. While the population struggled with starvation, there was bad weather caused by global warming in 2008 (a time of bad crops), making the situation even worse. The world responded by provided food. However the next year, the North Korean government rejected aid and has not accepted from foreign countries ever since.
Whilst, South Korea has developed a high-tech economy and was amongst the few countries to escape a recession during the global financial crisis in 2009.
After the war, one-10th of the civilian population was killed. Thousands of women were widows, thousands became unemployed and thousands of children were orphaned. Many families were separated when the two nations divided, with families on either side of the border. Some attempts at repatriation have been made. But South Korea's economy was so poor at the time, it was unable to provide care for the children left without parents. Orphans were adopted all over the world.

On October 4th, 2007, the South Korean Leader Roh Moo-Hyun and the Kim Jong Il, leader of the North Koreans, signed an eight-point peace agreement on issues of permanent peace, economic cooperation, high level talks, renewal of highway, air travel and train services.
Hostility towards the North Koreans never ceased. With them carrying out controversial nuclear tests ad several ballistic missile tests around the Chinese borders, it is a threat to not only the Chinese, but to the Japanese and South Koreans in particular.

Policies

At that time, American and Russian tensions had evolved onto a full-throttle push into the Cold War. Between Russia and America lead to a stand-off between the two superpowers.

To intensify the situation, the Soviet Union had taken a policy that shutting out any other nations from the Union's internal.

“entailed much greater activism and a correspondingly larger commitment of resources to foreign policy than the United States had previously undertaken in peacetime” – Ford. (find out more?)

During the war, Stalin had trained Eastern European Communists in Russia, and after Potsdam they returned to their own countries and began to take over.

USSR focused on the formation of a strong system of safety of the country both in Europe and on the Far East boundaries.
The Sociopolitical System, similar to the Stalin model of State Socialism. After the victory of the people's democratic revolutions, the Soviet Union consolidated the authority in these countries. Such situations became a basis for the formation of the “sphere of safety” at the western borders of the USSR. Concluded in 1945 – 1948.

The United States were also asked to form policies in to deal with its doppelganger's atomic power and communistic government. They were forced to make strategic plans to help other countries regain economic stability, to contain communism, and not end up in a ruinous global nuclear war.

Goal: the prevent the spread of communism.
“From Monroe Doctrine to Truman's NSC response to the endangering communism and war fare with NSC 68'.

Three policies formed the backbone for foreign policy in America through the Cld War era, eventually setting an examplar reflected in present politics.

Realism and Moralism took center stage in the debates of policy.

Realists: US should be motivated by consistent and well-defined national interests.
Moralists: US's values should reside in democracy, human rights, tolerance, etc. – Spaner

Realists had the upper hand in controlling the US foreign policies during the Cold War. However, it was the fusion of the two ideas that form the blue print for that trouble era.
NSC 68' The Marshall Plan.

The response to the faltering economies in Western Europe. To provide economic assistance to all European nations that would agree to the United States intervention. Based upon Moralism ideology.
George Kennan was a large proponent of the Marshall Plan. He believed that the pressure of poor economies make nations turn to communism as an answer. “Containment through Economics”
The plan was effective in maintaining good trade, and undermined the spread of communism.

Containment

President Truman was a proponent of military aid to the satellite nations of the Soviet Union, thus aim to contain the communist threat. The fusion of Kennan's proposal, in similarity to the Marshall Plan, adding with the Truman's plan was the heart of the theory of containment.
Was a policy influenced by realism, an ideology quick to adopt in Keenan's dealings with the Soviet Union.

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