Before I get into the Korean War let me give you an overview of the Cold War. The Cold War was an economic struggle between two world’s superpowers (USA and USSR). Starting in 1947 at the end of the Second World War and lasted until the dissolution of the Soviet Union On December 26, 1991. The Cold War had continuous rivalry between the two former World War II allies. The war ranged from nuclear submarines gliding noiselessly through the ocean to destroy the most advanced technologically-advanced satellites.
Now you're probably wondering “How does this start the Korean War?” keep reading to find all your answers. On June 25, 1950, the North Korean forces surprised the South Korean army by heading quickly toward the capital city of Seoul. The United States responded back by pushing a resolution through the U.N. Security Council asking for all military assistance to South Korea. The U.S. and South Korean forces marched into North Korea. This action prompted the massive intervention of communist Chinese forces in the late 1950. The war subsequently came down into a bloody stalemate.
The Korean War was the first “hot” war during the Cold War. Over 55,000 American troops lost their lives in the major conflict. This war was also the first “limited war,” which the U.S. aim was not the complete and total defeat of the enemy, but limit the goal of protecting South Korea. The U.S. government used a rational approach to avoid having a third world war. The Korean War proved to be a frustrating experience for the American people. The concept of having a limited war was difficult to understand and the Korean War didn’t gain any popular support after the war was over.
This war in Korea caused over two million deaths and ruined the economy for twenty years. The most famous leaders at the time were very involved with the war- two American presidents, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, China’s Mao Zedong and the Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin. The outcome from the Korean War was for the United States to maintain large military forces to constrain communism.
Now you're probably wondering “How does this start the Korean War?” keep reading to find all your answers. On June 25, 1950, the North Korean forces surprised the South Korean army by heading quickly toward the capital city of Seoul. The United States responded back by pushing a resolution through the U.N. Security Council asking for all military assistance to South Korea. The U.S. and South Korean forces marched into North Korea. This action prompted the massive intervention of communist Chinese forces in the late 1950. The war subsequently came down into a bloody stalemate.
The Korean War was the first “hot” war during the Cold War. Over 55,000 American troops lost their lives in the major conflict. This war was also the first “limited war,” which the U.S. aim was not the complete and total defeat of the enemy, but limit the goal of protecting South Korea. The U.S. government used a rational approach to avoid having a third world war. The Korean War proved to be a frustrating experience for the American people. The concept of having a limited war was difficult to understand and the Korean War didn’t gain any popular support after the war was over.
This war in Korea caused over two million deaths and ruined the economy for twenty years. The most famous leaders at the time were very involved with the war- two American presidents, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, China’s Mao Zedong and the Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin. The outcome from the Korean War was for the United States to maintain large military forces to constrain communism.
Sources
- History.com Staff. "Korean War." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 13 May 2016.
- "Australia's Involvement in the Korean War." Overview of the Korean Crisis. Web. 13 May 2016.