The Korean War

By: Adam Spark, Greg Bourolias, Todd Isbister, Dave Rodgers

Synopsis

The Korean War was an episode in the Cold War. It was a war between South and North Korea, but America and Russia were using it to fight without having a ‘hot war’.

The USA went to war in Korea for three reasons. The first reason was the ‘Domino theory’ – China turned Communist in 1949 and Truman feared that the next ‘domino’ would be Japan. The second was to undermine Communism and protect the American way of life – in 1950 the American National Security Council recommended that America start 'rolling back' Communism. Thirdly, Truman realized the USA was in a competition for world domination with the USSR.

Russia went to war because Stalin wanted Communism to grow. In 1949, Kim Il Sung persuaded Stalin and Mao Tse Tung to support an invasion of South Korea.

In 1950, Syngman Rhee threatened to attack North Korea. It was an excuse – the trigger for war: the NKPA invaded South Korea

Explain how this was a “proxy” war. Who were the power and which side were they on?

This was a “proxy” war because it was the communist North Korea vs. the capitalist South Korea

It was part of the Cold War because it was the communists against the capitalists

Major countries supporting the North were the U.S.S.R. and China

Major countries supporting the South were the UK, Canada, and the U.S.

It was a way for the western war to fight the communists

Analyze America’s role and stand on the war. How did the President view this war? What about citizens? Other Members of the American government? Other countries?

American RoleAmerican Role Americas in the war was to lead and

command the UN troops They aided South Korea in the war At first they were sent to stem the North

Korean advance not to attackPresident ViewPresident View Truman saw the war as an opportunity to

fight communismCitizen ViewCitizen View

What was the end result of the war? What did it accomplish or what did it fail to accomplish?

The war never really ended, but there was a signing of a armistice or ceasefire between the U.S., North Korea, and China on July 27, 1953, but not a peace treaty

The Korean War failed to unite the country This meant that Korea is still split up into the

communist North Korea and the capitalist South Korea

The end of the war formed the formation of the De-Militarized zone between North and South Korea, one of the most heavily armed stretches in the world

Evaluate the importance of this war and how it is a reflection of the Cold War era?