Analyse the causes of the Korean War
Uploaded by wiegerp on Nov 09, 2008
The Korean War took place between June 1950 and July 1953. Wither it is considered as a fight between 2 leaders Kim II and Syngman Rhee for the rise in power; the Korean War was highly influenced by the involvement of external countries. This; combined with the rivalry between communist and capitalist ideologies led to the development of the only unique armed confrontation within all the Cold War era.
Korea by 1950 was divided by the 38th parallel between the communist north, led by Kim II and the capitalist south; led by Syngman Rhee. Syngman Rhee wanted to invade and conquer the northern Korea, impose his rule and become the sole leader of the country. Hence as a reaction; Kim II reaches an agreement with Stalin from Russia in which Stalin would provide Kim II the resources needed to attack the southern part in exchange for Nickel and Pig Iron. This was done so that the northern part was able to attack the south in a surprise tactical operation; satisfying Kim II nationalistic fervour of becoming the unique ruler of Korea. As John Lewis Gaddis agrees; it was not that “Kim II was influenced by the USSR; it was the nationalistic feelings within him that led to the invasion of Southern Korea in June 1950”.
On the other hand; the involvement of the USA and the United Nations was also a cause for the Korean War as it settled up the rivalry between the communist and capitalist ideologies. After Kim II launched an offensive attack on Southern Korea; Syngman Rhee turned to USA and the United Nations in order for their help. In return; USA sent 350,000 men, leaded by MacArthur; 14 billion dollars which combined with 50,000 men from 14 different nations provided a very powerful army in order to counter-attack the fight.
The involvement of both Russia and America promoted an indirect fighting between the different ideologies. From the point of the Soviet Union; it was trying to expand the communist ideology based on the Trotkist theory of “permanent revolution”. The Korean War was seen by Stalin as a way to disturb the USA.
From the ideological point of the USA; the involvement of the USA in sending an army to Korea was done to prevent the “domino theory” of happening. The Domino theory was based on the motion that if one country felled under communist rule; the neighbour...