- How effectively did the USA contain
the spread of communism? -
The Korean War (1950-53)
Reasons for USA's involvement
1. The Policy of Containment
The US believed it was part of a Soviet plan to strengthen its sphere of influence in Asia. Any
communist movement in the world is regarded by the US as a single force directed from
Moscow. Due to their conflict in ideology, the US was determined to fight the USSR no matter
the cost. In order to prevent the spread of communism, the USA then decided to make a firm
response to the first sign of communist aggression.
2. Prevent China from involving the War
The US believed that a successful conquest of South Korea would encourage a Chinese
attack on Formosa (Taiwan). If South Korea and Formosa both fell to the Communists, then
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Japan could be threatened. If this happened, the US believed it would represent a major shift
in the power balance between the Communist and capitalist world.
Reasons for USSR’s Involvement
1. Geopolitical factor (eliminate threat of Japan)
The communist bloc had always wanted to expand and strengthen its influence in the world,
especially in the Asia Pacific. As China was the only ally in the East, Korea was seen to be
important to the Communist bloc due to its close priority to the Soviet in the region. The
incorporation of North Korea into the Communist bloc provided the Communist with a good
platform to spread Communism in Asia. It also helped to counterbalance the US presence
and influence in Japan. With a strong military base in North Korea, the advantages and threat
posed by the USA will be eliminated.
,Who won the war?
USA (South Korea)
The Korean War was also a victory for the USA. They demonstrated their continuing
commitment by committing their resources and soldiers to the fight against the spread of
communism. With their dedicated efforts, communism was contained in North Korea, where
the 38th parallel acted as the border between the Capitalist South and the Communist North.
South Korea did not fall under the influence of communism, balancing the presence of
communism in Asia while also ensuring that the communist could not launch a successful
attack on Formosa. As a result, the US' influence on Japan remained untouched, maintaining
the power balance between the Communist and the Capitalist. This sent out a positive
message to the US public that efforts for the policy of containment were effective.
United Nations
The United Nations achieved collective security by mobilising its member countries to
support the US' position both politically and militarily. Even when the Chinese helped North
Korea, the Americans could defend the South. When the North invaded the South, the UN
passed a resolution telling the North Koreans to withdraw. The UN army expelled the North
Koreans, and South Korea was saved. This was important for the UN because it showed that it
isabelle
was stronger than the League of Nations and could act with force even when major countries
such as China were involved.
China
Many claimed the winner of the war was China. It wanted to preserve a North Korean
Communist State, but not to dominate it. Following its successes in North Korea, China has
emerged as a military superpower. China was one of the three parties to the armistice talks
and a signatory to the armistice agreement. With Chinese help, North Korea managed to
regain its territorial integrity and maintain its sovereignty. South Korea was not present at the
Armistice talks and was not a signatory to the Armistice Agreement. Hence, it was a
propaganda win for China and it helped boost China’s international standings.
Neither
On balance, neither side actually won the Korean War. In fact, the war between the South
and the North goes on to this day, since the combatants never signed a peace treaty. South
Korea did not even sign the armistice agreement of July 27, 1953, and North Korea
repudiated the armistice in 2013. In terms of territory, the two Koreas returned essentially to
their pre-war boundaries, with a demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing them roughly along the
38th parallel. The civilians on each side truly lost the war, which resulted in millions of
, civilian deaths and economic devastation. In political reality, nothing really changed, but
millions of lives were lost and cities were bombed to the ground.
isabelle
the spread of communism? -
The Korean War (1950-53)
Reasons for USA's involvement
1. The Policy of Containment
The US believed it was part of a Soviet plan to strengthen its sphere of influence in Asia. Any
communist movement in the world is regarded by the US as a single force directed from
Moscow. Due to their conflict in ideology, the US was determined to fight the USSR no matter
the cost. In order to prevent the spread of communism, the USA then decided to make a firm
response to the first sign of communist aggression.
2. Prevent China from involving the War
The US believed that a successful conquest of South Korea would encourage a Chinese
attack on Formosa (Taiwan). If South Korea and Formosa both fell to the Communists, then
isabelle
Japan could be threatened. If this happened, the US believed it would represent a major shift
in the power balance between the Communist and capitalist world.
Reasons for USSR’s Involvement
1. Geopolitical factor (eliminate threat of Japan)
The communist bloc had always wanted to expand and strengthen its influence in the world,
especially in the Asia Pacific. As China was the only ally in the East, Korea was seen to be
important to the Communist bloc due to its close priority to the Soviet in the region. The
incorporation of North Korea into the Communist bloc provided the Communist with a good
platform to spread Communism in Asia. It also helped to counterbalance the US presence
and influence in Japan. With a strong military base in North Korea, the advantages and threat
posed by the USA will be eliminated.
,Who won the war?
USA (South Korea)
The Korean War was also a victory for the USA. They demonstrated their continuing
commitment by committing their resources and soldiers to the fight against the spread of
communism. With their dedicated efforts, communism was contained in North Korea, where
the 38th parallel acted as the border between the Capitalist South and the Communist North.
South Korea did not fall under the influence of communism, balancing the presence of
communism in Asia while also ensuring that the communist could not launch a successful
attack on Formosa. As a result, the US' influence on Japan remained untouched, maintaining
the power balance between the Communist and the Capitalist. This sent out a positive
message to the US public that efforts for the policy of containment were effective.
United Nations
The United Nations achieved collective security by mobilising its member countries to
support the US' position both politically and militarily. Even when the Chinese helped North
Korea, the Americans could defend the South. When the North invaded the South, the UN
passed a resolution telling the North Koreans to withdraw. The UN army expelled the North
Koreans, and South Korea was saved. This was important for the UN because it showed that it
isabelle
was stronger than the League of Nations and could act with force even when major countries
such as China were involved.
China
Many claimed the winner of the war was China. It wanted to preserve a North Korean
Communist State, but not to dominate it. Following its successes in North Korea, China has
emerged as a military superpower. China was one of the three parties to the armistice talks
and a signatory to the armistice agreement. With Chinese help, North Korea managed to
regain its territorial integrity and maintain its sovereignty. South Korea was not present at the
Armistice talks and was not a signatory to the Armistice Agreement. Hence, it was a
propaganda win for China and it helped boost China’s international standings.
Neither
On balance, neither side actually won the Korean War. In fact, the war between the South
and the North goes on to this day, since the combatants never signed a peace treaty. South
Korea did not even sign the armistice agreement of July 27, 1953, and North Korea
repudiated the armistice in 2013. In terms of territory, the two Koreas returned essentially to
their pre-war boundaries, with a demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing them roughly along the
38th parallel. The civilians on each side truly lost the war, which resulted in millions of
, civilian deaths and economic devastation. In political reality, nothing really changed, but
millions of lives were lost and cities were bombed to the ground.
isabelle
