SS7H3e Cold War and Korea

End of WWII At the end of WWII, the United States and the Soviet Union (Russia today) had very different goals. The Soviet Union wanted countries to be communist. The United States wanted countries to be democracies.

Cold War The US and Soviet Union found themselves in a Cold War (no fighting between these two) They competed with each other to get as many governments in place around the world that were sympathetic to their own plans.

Capitalism vs. Communism Capitalism  you earn what you make (the better you are the more money you earn) Think MARKET! Communism  classless society where everyone is equal Think COMMAND!

Korean Peninsula At the end of WWII, the Soviet Union controlled the northern part of the peninsula, and the US controlled the southern part. Both sides wanted their own form of government installed, so the two parts of the peninsula remained separate.

Domino Theory The US believed that if any other countries in Southeast Asia accepted communist form of government, others would quickly follow. If one country falls to communism, they all will.

Korean War War broke out between the two countries in 1950, and after 3 years of fighting, the line between the nations was re-drawn to the original boundary, where it remains today. North Korea remains communist under a dictator, with little economic progress. South Korea has free elections and a democratic constitution, and has been much more successful.

38th Parallel Latitudinal line which split Korea between Communist North and Democratic South.

De-militarized Zone (DMZ) The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.