North Korea was ruled from 1948 by Kim Il-sung until his death on July 8, 1994. After the death of Kim Il Sung,

Kim Jong I1 North Korea was ruled from 1948 by Kim Il-sung until his death on July 8, 1994. After the death of Kim Il Sung, his son Kim Jong-il was named General Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party on October 8, 1997. In 1998, the legislature reconfirmed him as Chairman of the National Defense Commission and declared that position as the "highest office of state." After his high school graduation, Kim became involved in government and with the ruling Worker's Party. He attended Kim Il Sung University in 1960, taking courses in the political and economic department, and graduated in 1964. Afterward, his rise in politics was predictably rapid. He was named as a member of the party politburo and party secretary and by 1969 had been appointed deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department and the party's headquarters. In 1973, he was made Party secretary in charge of organization and propaganda. For decades, Kim Il Sung, who was known as "Great Leader," groomed his son for the presidency, and remarked to others that the young Kim would carry out his father's political programs exactly as he wished. Kim Jong Il is said to have impressed his father by proposing that North Korea carry out a cultural revolution modeled on that of China. Kim was officially designated heir to Kim Il Sung in 1974 and put in charge of party operations against South Korea. By 1980, he

  • Word count: 775
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Politics
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What were the causes of the Korean War (1950-1953)?

What were the causes of the Korean War (1950-1953)? On 25th June 1950, ninety thousand North Korean soldiers invaded South Koreas border defences, The Korean war had begun, this small scale civil war would escalate into an international conflict. Historically Korea had once been a united country, under Japanese rule for between 1905 and 1945 however, the Japanese were unruly and did not treat the Koreans well. At the end of the Second World War it was decided that the country would be divided along the 38th parallel and occupied by soviet troops in the North and American troops in the South. Syngman Rhee, who had spent some years exiled in America, became the president of South Korea in 1948, while Kim Il Sung, having fought for the Russian red army during the war became leader of the Peoples Democratic Republic (Communist) in North Korea. I intent to outline the causes and contributing factors that eventually led to the Korean War. An underlying factor in this conflict is the two very contrasting political systems in North Korea, The communist North led by Kim Il sung had links with fellow Communist nations such as China and the USSR, In April 1950, Kim Il Sung actually visited Moscow and by May and June Military supplies were being sent to north Korea including 150 T-34 Tanks. Similarly China did not want to have an American influenced democratic country bordering its

  • Word count: 891
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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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

  • Word count: 1814
  • 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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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,

  • Word count: 1029
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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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 world. 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. These flash points had caused tension and misunderstanding between the USA and the USSR because of the actions they took. But because of the opposing ideologies (communism vs. capitalism) if the USA or USSR brought about any policies they would be a direct threat to each other because their ideologies want to achieve different things. After F.Roosevelt died in April 1945 H.Truman took over as president. He regarded the Soviet Union as an ideological

  • Word count: 1001
  • 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

  • Word count: 1350
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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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

  • Word count: 1011
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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North Korea and South Korea after the Korean war.

"In our hearts, I think we have already achieved reunification." Kim Bok Young, a clothing retailer in Seoul.1 As a new generation is born and raised that has forgotten the Korean War, the vast majority of Koreans want reunification of the Korean peninsula. The collective group called "Koreans" is a people that were dramatically and carelessly ripped into two states. With families and friends on each side of the border, there is a cry for help on each side. Unfortunately the governments of these two states have differences that separate a common people. Although, there is hope for the spilt nation of Korea. Many are working for the common goal of uniting the people of Korea into a single state. North Korea and South Korea have made significant strides towards unification despite obstacles and set backs. The division of Korea happened in 1945 when single country was split in two and sent on two very different paths. It is important to note that the Korean peninsula has been separated by different kingdoms through history, but the differences were small compared to the recent differences among Korea today. Currently North Korea is a very poor suffering communist state, while the South is a growing economic tiger that has successfully adopted capitalism. The two paths started to unfold late during World War II. While the allies drove the Japanese forces from Korea,

  • Word count: 2976
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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