Origins of Korean War essays

Origins of Korean War essays ~ What were the origins of the Korean War and what were the lessons learned or unlearned? Following World War II, tensions in the form of a Cold War between American and Democratic allies and the Soviet and Communist allies mounted. As part of the terms of the surrender of the Axis powers, Japan lost its colony of Korea. This colony was then divided along the 38th parallel. Thus, North and South Korea were born. Russia would control North Korea, which was led by communist Kim Il Sung. A conservative nationalist, Syngman Rhee, with the help of the UN, remained in control of South Korea. It can be said that the Korean War was a result of global diplomatic conflicts between the Communist and Democratic governments. However, contrary to the prevailing view of the 1950's, North Korea actually invaded its Southern counterpart without consulting the Soviet Union or China, a militant move independent of its future allies. In response to this attack, Truman offered a continuation of his containment policy to a special UN conference. All in all, 19 countries became invo lved in the war on South Korea's side, with the United States pledging a majority of the troops in the fighting. Soviet Russia quickly aided North Korea with weapons and troops that in return was complemented by a number of 'volunteer' Chinese who crossed over the border during the fighting. Throughout the war, the borderline between the two Koreas would fluctuate just as often as would a seesaw, but eventually an armistice would be called when the border remained just slightly above the 38th parallel, in which it would become stationary. The installment of two adversary governments in the same original country in such close proximity to each other probably was not the smartest of the post-war terms of surrender. A number of lessons were learned from the Korean War. For one, the United States learned some modesty. After subsequent wins in the two world wars and...