Korean+War

=Korean War=

An Introduction media type="youtube" key="-fnnqTAsS48" height="385" width="480"

== //Map of Korea - (Taken from http://rickinbham.tripod.com/Korea_Map.jpg) Korean War Montage - (Taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Korean_War_Montage.jpg)//

**1.** **Mistrust and suspicion**
a. __History__ – Potsdam Conference (July 1945), Truman & Stalin disagreed over war reparations, Germany, and Stalin’s efforts to esta blish pro-Soviet gvts. in Europe

"What is surprising about the fact that the Soviet Union, worried about its future safety, wants governments friendly to it in Finland, Poland and Romania? " - Stalin, writing in March 1946

a. __Communist__ – USSR backed North Korea led by Kim Il-sung, USSR wanted to strengthen security by having friendly communist state along borders b. __Democratic__ – USA backed South Korea led by Syngman Rhee, USA concerned about “Domino Theory”, visioned communists overrunning Asia, practiced policy of containment: prevent spread of Soviet’s global influence.
 * 2.** **Difference in ideologies**

Both leaders of North and South Korea had a common goal of reunification of both lands, where North Korean Leader, Kim Il Sung had developed such intentions ever since the end of the second world war. However neither party would agree to either party overtaking the governance of the whole of Korea, resulting in an inevitable conflict. This caused the initial launch of attack by North Korea.

"Asia is where the communist conspirators have decided to make their play for global conquest. If we lose this war, the fall of Europe is inevitable. There is no choice but victory." -The US General MacArthur, speaking in 1950 (Taken from http://www.johndclare.net/cold_war10.htm)

a. __Economic__ – Hydroelectric power and raw materials can be obtained from Korea b. __Social__ – Punish Japan for occupying Korea in WW2 by denying resources to affect redevelopment
 * 3.** **Nationalism**

- Imperial Russia saw south-eastern Siberia, Manchuria, and northern Korea in much the same way the United States saw California and the West in those years.The Russians were expanding into the area, especially Manchuria, and eyed Korea's rich natural resources. As in the American West, the Russians were busy building railroads to transport people and goods across the Siberian wastes to this new frontier. Most importantly, the region had access to warm-water ports which did not freeze in the winter, including Port Arthur and Dairen. Russian leaders had been trying to gain control of a warm-water port for years, but had failed to gain a Mediterranean port. The Soviet Union, which replaced Imperial Russia after the 1917 revolution, also considered Manchuria and the Korean peninsula to be extremely important.

Timeframe
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[[image:http://www.warchat.org/pictures/korean_war_map.jpg]]
//Summary of events - (Taken from http://www.warchat.org/pictures/korean_war_map.jpg)//

Impacts of war
· **Before the Korean War, USA and USSR still had good relations** – Despite escalating cold war tensions, when the US asked the Soviets to stop at the 38th Parallel, they did. Surprised by the Soviet acquiescence, American policymakers failed to realize that the USSR probably didn't want or care for more than the North

· **Gave the US reason to increase its military expenditure** – Under Truman, military expenditure increased rapidly, laying the foundations for the so-called military industrial complex that existed throughout the Cold War with USSR.

· **Ascendance of the People's Republic of China onto the world stage** – Fighting against the US, China received aid from the Soviets, helping them to become a major military power. Tensions due to differing ideologies arose between democratic USA and communist USSR and China.

· **Proved the tenacity and skill of the Communist Asian militaries** –reaffirmed by the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

· **High number of casualties** – [|Casualty table]