Yo Kass answered
The Korean War began in 1950 following hostilities between Communist North Korea (or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and American-backed South Korea (Republic of Korea). The two countries were actually only created following the Battle of the Pacific towards the end of World War II, and previously existed as one entity.
60 years on, the conflict between the two nations is considered to be in a state of 'armistice' or ceasefire - because a peace treaty between them was never signed.
Causes of the Korean War
It could be suggested that the principal cause for the Korean War was actually the political tensions that were building up between the Soviet Union and the United States following the allied victory in World War II.
Following the surrender of Japan, the allied forces decided to divide the Korean peninsula (which was previously under Japanese control) into two separate occupied territories along the 38th parallel of latitude. The Soviet tanks rolled into the Northern half of the peninsula, whilst the South fell under American control.
The division was only meant as a temporary measure to give the main political players (Soviet Union, China, US, and UK) time to arrange for a united government- but this never materialized.
Although communist elements had secretly existed in Korea during the Japanese reign, (under Soviet rule), North Korea fully developed into a communist state whilst South Korea began developing a capitalist economy in line with the American model.
Following the surrender of Japan, the allied forces decided to divide the Korean peninsula (which was previously under Japanese control) into two separate occupied territories along the 38th parallel of latitude. The Soviet tanks rolled into the Northern half of the peninsula, whilst the South fell under American control.
The division was only meant as a temporary measure to give the main political players (Soviet Union, China, US, and UK) time to arrange for a united government- but this never materialized.
Although communist elements had secretly existed in Korea during the Japanese reign, (under Soviet rule), North Korea fully developed into a communist state whilst South Korea began developing a capitalist economy in line with the American model.
The temporary boarder between the two began turning into a political boundary and, on the 25th of June 1950, (and following several minor conflicts), the border was breached by North Korean forces in an attempt to reunite Korea under a communist flag. The North was supported in its efforts by China and the Soviet Union, whilst the United States and the United Nations supported the South Korean resistance.
Effects of the Korean War
Whilst the effects of any war are usually lengthy enough to fill an entire book, it is possible to list some of the more pertinent points relating to the aftermath of the Korean War:
- China (and its leader Mao Zedong) emerged with a sense of pride at having fought what it considered its 'American Enemy' to a stalemate. Mao also reckoned it was his country's involvement in the Korean War that earned him the approval of Stalin.
- America became more committed to ensuring Taiwan didn't fall under Chinese control (an issue still pertinent to this day)
- The Korean War was the first example of African American soldiers fighting in racially integrated units under the US army
- South Korea's economy struggled until the 1960s when its economy boomed. North Korea remains an underdeveloped nation in modern times.
- Anti-American sentiment grew in Korea due to behaviour of American Military personnel based in the country