The Korean War is a war not known by many. But for my family, it was the biggest impact in our family tree. War in itself is a needless action, and completely preventable. What started the Korean War was a simple disagreement on which government Korea, as a whole, should’ve had. The North being influenced by Russia to become communist and the South under America’s wing wanted a democracy. Kim Il Sung from the North invaded South Korea, taking them from surprise. 1950 to 1953 the Korean War was ruthless and unnecessary, but like many other wars in history, resulted in unexpected and positive outcomes for the people impacted.
From an outside-perspective, the Korean War looked as though it was against North and South Korea. Although the actual war was in fact against these two countries, without the influence from the U.S. and Russia, it is doubtful that the war would’ve even started in the first place. The underlying reason for the war was that it was caused indirectly by the Cold War between America and the USSR. Both super nations used the Korean War as an excuse for going to war against each other without causing another massacring World War.
The split nation of Korea altered and majorly impacted the citizens of a once unified country. The North Koreans first attack was on the major city in the South of Korean, Seoul. When the North invaded the city of Seoul, now the capital of South Korean, the citizens had to either try fleeing the ruthless army, or surrendering. With surrendering to the communist, it was with the promise that you had to become communist and follow the communist lifestyle. Both options included immense risks that could be potentially fatal. Staying in the now conquered city, “they were subjected not only to th...
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... of it. My life would never be existent if it wasn’t for that war. Society wouldn’t be that culturally diverse. The world would have a much less population of interracial people. I believe that God can turn a demoralizing situation, like war, into something beautiful. The Korean War, and any other war, was immoral and callous. Yet, the oddest things can have the most wonderful resolution.
Works Cited
"After War." Telephone interview. 21 Feb. 2014
Haan, Phil De. "50 Years and Counting: The Impact of the Korean War on the People of the Peninsula." 50 Years and Counting: The Impact of the Korean War on the People of the Peninsula. N.p., May 2002. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. http://www.calvin.edu/news/2001-02/korea.htm
Stout, Mira. One Thousand Chestnut Trees: A Novel of Korea. New York: Riverhead, 1998. N. pag. Print.
"When The War Started." Telephone interview. 20 Feb. 2014
as 822nd Squadron Operation Officer and then Assistant 38th Bomb Group Operations Officer. Received a combat promotion to 1st Lieutenant 15 July 1945.
The Korean War , although successful in preventing the spread of communism, was one of the first tests of communism in Asia. North Korea was strictly communist while South Korea was democratic. As usual, the United States supported democratic South Korea and the Truman Doctrine was applied to the Korean situation. The North Korean forces crossed the dividing line (38th parallel) and invaded South Korea. Thus, they provoked a war over communism. With the possibility of democratic South Korea falling to the communistic North, the U.S. stepped in and supplied aid mostly through troops. The U.S. then urged the United Nations to support South Korea and fight against the communist North. Once the North Korean forces were defeated at Inchon, they eventually got pushed back to the 38th parallel. However, against President Truman’s word, American General MacArthur decided to keep pushing back the North Korean forces by crossing the dividing line. This caused more trouble because the People’s Republic of China (Communist China) now sent troops to aid the communists against the pro...
Pearson, Lester B. "Documents on the Korean Crisis." University of Manitoba. January 24, 1951. http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/archives/canada_war/tribune/website/clippings/korea/Documents_on_the_Korean_Crisis1.shtml (accessed December 18, 2011).
Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope” (Brainy Quotes). Even though a nation agonizes over its collapse, it must never lose its optimistic views for the future. Korea was a nation that was annexed, however the determination for liberation was never diminished. Korea became a colony of Japan in 1910 for its natural resources and also for its territory which had an advantageous position, geographically. Thousands of Koreans who resisted annexation were killed by the Japanese military. During these years under the Japanese rule, the Koreans suffered greatly as the men were forced into extreme labor while the women were bounded into prostitution. Although the majority of Koreans detested the Japanese occupation, they were impotent against the Japanese harsh reign. Developments in industrial activities also took place, partially encouraged by the Japanese government, overall however the country’s citizens were living in destitution. Only the Japanese government was gaining resources and wealth, while Koreans were forced into harsh labor. In 1945, Korea was liberated from this sadistic rule partially due to its continuous efforts for freedom.
Nothing can impact society like war. War can be viewed as noble and just, or cruel and inhuman, as well as everything in between. War affects everyone in society whether they are fighting in a foreign country or waiting at home for a loved one to return. War is an indispensable part of civilization; found at every chapter of human history. It is the culmination of the basic survival instinct when provoked. As has the technique of battle; society's view on war has changed as well. Today the act of war has become almost shameful, whereas in earlier eras war was glorified and heroic. American society's view on war has changed also. Our history, even as a young country has seen a great deal of conflict.
During 1950 there was much opposition to the thought of ending the Korean War. While the United States of America and the United Nations Command sought out to peacefully end the war, both North Korea and South Korea were hell-bent towards unifying the Korean peninsula in their own image. While at this time South Korea, was an ally of
U.S. participation was centered on America’s foreign policy at the time. Although the War did not break out until June of 1950, several conflicts brewed over the attempt to take over the entire nation under one rule for several years after World War II. The majority of these conflicts took place at the 38th parallel where Korea was split. Decisions influenced by President Harry S. Truman and his doctrine, which was essentially the policy to contain the spread of communism, gave the United Nations an opportunity to prevent global domination through communism (“Teaching with Documents”). The fear of international communism from the powers of the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China was the main reason that caused the United States to intervene.
This response will focus on the key issue of fragmentation. In his book Korea’s Twentieth-Century Odyssey, Michael E. Robinson wrote “Multiple interest groups resided within the bureaucracy and even divided the royal house” (p. 16). Arguably, Korea’s sovereignty was lost in large part, due to the lack of unity among different groups and faction. It was clear from the readings that some Korean individuals and groups prioritized their self-interests above their own country’s benefit. Nowhere was this most evident then the issue of national security.
Suh, Jungbo 동아일보,“[만화]’원폭 잔혹성 폭로’ 日만화 국내출간 : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴.” Dong A, 14 sept. 2000. Web.
The Korean war was a short but hard fought war that created a permanent line between two countries. Now we have communist North Korea and the Republic of South Korea. Overshadowed by the Vietnam War and World War II, the Korean War also became known as “The Forgotten War” or “The Unknown War” but it still has important lasting effects on the world.
Most people know that the Korean War was started when, in 1950, the North Koreans (N.K) crossed over the 38th parallel and opened fire on the South Koreans (S.K). North Koreans wanted the land,,because of the resources on the land. What most people don't understand are the other hidden conflicts that contributed to the tension.The Cold War was going strong between the Soviet Union /China and the United States.
Every day we are surrounded by stories of war. In fact, we have become so accustomed to it, that we are now entertained by it. Video games, movies, and books filled with heroes who once dominated the battlefields. However it is constantly stated, “no good comes from war.” Even famous songs state “war... what is it good for… absolutely nothing.” But what if war was actually necessary? Throughout history, we see examples of the good things wars have brought. War has freed slaves, modernized medicine, brought down evil empires, and even brought countries together
Korea had been united as one country for many years. Japan took control of Korea and made it part of its empire. After World War II, Japan was defeated and its empire fell. Korea was left without a leader or a system of government. This provoked the United States troops to occupy the southern half and Soviet troops to occupy the northern half. The United States and its allies favored democratic government, while the Soviet Union and China favored a communist system of government.
Throughout history the United States has fought in many wars. Whether the fighting took place in Europe such as WWI or in our own land like the civil war. The one war many people seem to forget is the Korean War. The Korean War also known as the “forgotten war” was a war between North Korea, South Korea and the US together with the South Koreans to help. The Korean War was fought on sea, land, and in the air over and near the Korean peninsula (Brown, p.2). On June 25, 1950, the North Koreans rumbled across the thirty-eighth parallel. The invasion was successful because the south was not expecting or even prepare for a war. The invasion was so successful that they pushed the south to a tiny defensive area around Pusan. That’s when President Truman steps in real quick to halt the invasion of the North Koreans. Truman ordered American armed forces under General Douglas MacArthur to support South Korea. The Korean War was a clash between Communist forces and Free World (Brown, p.2).
The Korean War explicitly portrayed the atrocious battle between both the North and South side which gave the United Nations its military role for the first time, thus expanding the war from a domestic to an international scale. Sometimes called “The Forgotten War”, the Korean War was mainly overshadowed in historical terms by the conflicts that occurred before and after it, World War II and the Vietnam War. The Korean War had raged for years without a true resolution and after years of battles, even the compromise that was made was not a complete one. The current situation in North and South Korea is quite volatile. In order to apprehend the Korean War, one has to look at events that took place before the war, how the war was conducted and the aftermath of the War.