'UN activity in the Korean War was nothing more than a cover for US anti-communism.' How far do you agree with this view?
'UN activity in the Korean War was nothing more than a cover for US anti-communism.' How far do you agree with this view? It was like any other Sunday morning, June 25, 1950, but the normality of the day was abruptly shattered by artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire as North Korean forces breached the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. The inferior South Korean army was no match, and was forced to retreat to Seoul. Soon enough, troops from 15 countries went to South Korea to fight against the North Korean aggression, under the U.N flag. However, despite the apparent blanket of countries, it would appear it was the US who made up the largest segment of the UN forces, whilst other countries merely submitted token gestures. In fact, even before the UN resolution passed, President Harry S. Truman, recognizing an apparent threat to the free world and a start to the much feared domino effect, determined the U.S. could no longer remain neutral while communist powers trampled the free nations of the world. Therefore he ordered General Douglas MacArthur to provide whatever assistance necessary to repel this invasion. General MacArthur obliged and in no time the American was appointed head of UN forces. One might wonder how the UN came to pass such an act, especially when communist Russia, part of the UN, has the power of veto. Surely if they allowed the act to pass then
An Investigation into Voluntary Censorship during the first six months of the Korean War
An Historical Investigation IB History Internal Assessment Michael Zuber Student Number: 002351-060 Collège du Léman School Number: 002351 Word Count: 1846 words An Investigation into Voluntary Censorship during the first six months of the Korean War. Table of Contents A. Plan of Investigation 2 B. Summary of Evidence 2 C. Evaluation of Sources 5 D. Analysis 6 E. Conclusion 9 F. Bibliography 10 A. Plan of Investigation (85 words) This investigation examines the extent to which media censorship in the United States during the initial stages of the Korean War (up to December 21, 19501), was voluntary. December 21, 1950 was the date that General MacArthur imposed full censorship on all media output.2 In addition to his manipulation of information, General MacArthur's role in censorship of information is also analyzed. Two sources, U.S. Television News and Cold War Propaganda, 1947-1960, by Nancy Bernhard and Selling the Korean War, by Steven Casey are evaluated. B. Summary of Evidence (526 words) Propaganda has been used throughout history in order to shape opinion and perception.3 In the twentieth century, an expansion in communications media caused for propaganda to be used more persuasively than ever before.4 War propaganda has often been subject to censorship and the Korean War was no exception. During the initial stages of the Korean War,
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
The role of the Berlin airlift and the Korean War in the development of the Cold War.
History Homework - Exam Question The Berlin Blockade and airlift were important for the development of the Cold war because it was one of the first crises which happened during the Cold War. The Berlin Blockade ruined many people lives in West Berlin as the Soviets had blocked food supplies, energy supplies and gas to West Berlin by closing routes, cancels and railways. This lead to the USA and Britain having to supply West Berlin by sending airplanes filled with supplies to West Berlin. In order for West Berlin to survive, they needed 4000 tonnes of food a day which meant that aeroplanes filled with supplies landed every few seconds. This was called the airlift. As a result of the airlift 79 American and British pilots lost their lives during the airlifts. In May 1949 Stalin called off the Berlin Blockade as the Soviets realised that the people of West Berlin were managing fine with the help of the USA and the UK. As the Berlin Blockade and airlift had the potential to start another war as Stalin could have bombed the planes, this tells me that the Berlin Blockade and Airlift was one of the reasons for the Cold War. The Korean War was important for the development for the Cold War because it was the first "hot" war in the Cold War. The Korean War was about North Korea and South Korea fighting against each other. The USA was on South Korea's side and the USSR was on North
Why did the United States become so deeply involved in the Korean War in the years 1950-53?
Why did the United States become so deeply involved in the Korean War in the years 1950-53? Relative to the years 1950-53 it’s apparent that there are numerous factors that contribute to why the US became so heavily comprised in the Korean War. Primarily, the Soviet Union posed a huge communist threat that stemmed from military uprising during World War II. The National Security Council Report 68 (NSC-68) increased involvement because Truman deemed military engagement as a necessity to ultimately limit the spread the communism that of which had posed a threat for many years. Moreover, MacArthur’s strategy of ordering UN forces north of the 38th parallel China was highly relevant particularly for Truman who wanted to seem tough on communism following the securing China as a communist state under the leadership of Mao. Additionally, a general fear that South Korea might fall to advancing North Korean forces amplified the sense the hysteria that co-existed within capitalism and made the element of ‘Red Scare’ an increasingly worrying issue. However, in order to assess the full extent of this argument, further factors and reasons for increased US involvement must be considered. Truman’s persistence to limit to spread of communist tyranny remained a factor that largely contributed to deeper US involvement in the years 1950-53. The Truman Doctrine of 1947 adopted the
A Study of Air Supremacy in the Korean War.
History 333, The Historical Method-- Arthur Coumbe, Professor A Study of Air Supremacy in the Korean War By Tom Spearman The Korean War was the first major test of the newly formed United States Air Force. It had been in existence for only three years when North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The North Koreans purpose was to attempt to unite the country under communist rule. When hostilities first broke out the United States war machine was not fully prepared to stop the aggression. War material was in great supply but it had to be brought out of storage. More importantly, most of the experienced military personnel had returned to the civilian sector. The Far East Air Force (FEAF), composed of the Thirteenth in the Philippines, the Twentieth on Guam, and the Fifth in Japan, were responsible for carrying the air war to the enemy.1 The journal, Air Power History, chronicles the stages of the air war and focuses on the integral components that made up the totality of America's response to achieve and maintain air superiority. The aim of the journal was to examine the contributions of each component and demonstrate how their integration as a cohesive force helped achieve their goal, which in turn led to a peaceful settlement. Specifically it looked at the commanders, logistics, combat cargo, strategic interdiction, close air support, aerial combat,
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.
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,
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
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
