The Cold War: Development & Impact Globally

Korea had been under Japanese occupation during WWII – after Japan had lost, the Allied forces and the Soviets agreed to divide Korea along the 38 th parallel Most Koreans wanted unification The Soviets occupied the North, and the US occupied the South The US created the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South under Syngman Rhee In response the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was founded in the North under Communist leader Kim Il-Sung North Korea wanted to expand its borders and communism into the south North Korea with support from the USSR and People’s Republic of China invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950

-Korean War was the result of both defensive and offensive reasons: -South Korea was defending itself against a North Korean attack -North Korea provoked the war by crossing the border -Was the result of political causes: -The US wanted to contain communism; the Domino Theory –if one country in a region became communist, others would quickly follow; USSR and China wanted communism to expand -The 38 th parallel acted as a political border

Soldiers from 16 nations (collectively under the United Nations but most from U.S.A.) were led by General Douglas MacArthur (hero from WWII). North Korean troops reach the southern tip of South Korea MacArthur then lands troops just south of the 38th parallel North Korean troops are forced to retreat back into North Korea U.N. forces push North Korean troops northward near China Communist leaders in China view the U.N. attack as a threat China warns that they will enter the war if the U.N. troops push any further (the warning is ignored) Role played by outside forces

November 1950 Chinese soldiers enter North Korea Fighting continues for a year, with no victory; stalemate /deadlock MacArthur suggests a plan to blockade the Chinese coast and bomb China Truman refuses; and MacArthur is extremely unhappy Truman fires MacArthur Truman begins truce talks in July 1951 which continued through 1952 The war had become very unpopular (especially with American people) As the Presidential election of 1952 draws near, the war is an important issue Role played by outside forces

Dwight D Eisenhower (Ike) runs for president In his presidential campaign, Ike promises to end the war quickly Ike wins the election and keeps his promise to bring an end to the war A compromise with North Korea & China is made Eisenhower warns that he was ready to use nuclear weapons. North & South Korea remain two separate nations 38 th Parallel Americans are frustrated by the outcome of the war Role played by outside forces

The war ended in a ceasefire; there was no victory Ended on July 27 th, 1953 with a truce; armistice signed North Korea and South Korea remain divided Tensions still exist today

Longest negotiated armistice in history (negotiated over 2 years and 17 days) 18 official copies; tri-lingual Went into effect at 10 pm on July 27 th, 1953 Signed by US Army Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, Jr., UN Command Delegate, North Korean Gen. Nam Il, and volunteers from the People’s Republic of China Purely a military document (no nation is a signatory)

1. Suspended open hostilities 2. Withdrew military forces and equipment from a 4000 meter wide zone (created a buffer between the two zones); this zone is called the DMZ (demilitarized zone – meaning no military allowed in this area) 3. Prevented both sides from entering the air, ground, or seas on opposing sides 4. Released POWs 5. Establishes the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) + other agencies – used to ensure that the truce terms were followed

For Korea Cost in human lives & property was vast $67 billion (1953 dollars); $535 billion (2008 dollars) Much of North Korean land was severely damaged due aerial bombing For the US NSC-68’s recommendation to triple the defense budget was implemented US defense spending increased dramatically turning at around 10% of American GNP in 1950 Heavy American casualties and many were taken as POW’s Cost of the War

Division between North Korea and South Korea.

The Korean Armistice Agreement was NOT a peace treaty; North Korea and South Korea are still technically at war Was intended as a temporary measure General Nam Il (signatory on behalf of North Korea) said that it was a made to be a ceasefire “until a final peace settlement is achieved” Peace settlement never came Attempt to make peace settlements occurred in a conference in Geneva (1954); no agreements settled Tensions between the two nations are still high Border between North Korea and South Korea is the most heavily militarised border in the world