Causes of the Korean War

Executive Summary

The world was left in confusion, destruction and was in need of guidance after World War II. The roles of the Superpowers were supposed to be the examples for the world to follow. But instead of peace, the conflict between communism and democracy sparked a new war; the Korean War, which was the initial battle of the Cold War. The Korean War was an unnecessary military conflict for it was not by Korea's doing. It was spawned by both greed and fear; the Soviet Union's lust for world domination intermixed with the United States' fear that Joseph Stalin would succeed. The 'Super Powers' would first meet on the battlefield in Korea, where they would begin their war of demonstration (of both arms and their influence over the world). Now, for a moment, imagine what would have become of Korea if the Soviet Union and the United States granted Korea the ability to self-govern instead of making the newly liberated territories an extension of their influence. The Korean War could have easily never occurred if not for the two, 'guiding' nations, leading their client-states to the brink of war.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary2

Introduction4

Discussion4

Background4

Two Koreas5

Strategic Goals of United States & Soviet Union6

Causes of the War7

The Immediate Cause8

The End of Korean War9

War Casualties9

War Responsibilities10

Conclusion10

Endnotes12

Causes of the Korean War

Introduction

The Korean War took place between the periods of June 25th 1950 and July 27th 1953. It was a war between the Northern part (Republic of Korea) and the Southern part (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). The primary reason for the war was the political division of Korea by the victorious allies through an agreement after the end of World War II. Korea had been previously under the rule of Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. After the defeat and surrender of Japan during September 1945, the Korean peninsula got divided along a border '38th Parallel' defined by American administrators. The United States occupied the Southern part while the Soviet Union occupied the Northern part.

Signed on July 27th 1953, the termination agreement of the Korean War has had enormous impact not only on the great power relations between the United States, the former Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China but also has an enormous impact on the Korean peninsula as well as. However, the rise of association movement of two Koreas and nationalism confronted the basic concerns of United States and Korea relations that Korean people were subjected to an act in order to surmount the separation of their original homeland.

"We have now gained a truce in Korea. We do not greet it with wild rejoicing. We know how dear its cost has been in life and treasure." (Radio Report 1953)

Discussion

Background

After the World War II ended, the Japanese controlled territories were being taken back by the allies. The Northern part of Korea was taken by Soviet Union and the Southern part of Korea by the United States. The 38th Parallel, which is the border, was the place ...