The War That Was Forgotten

For hundreds of years Korea was dominated by the Chinese empire. After Japan was defeated by the allies in WW II., Korea became occupied by the Russians in the North and the Americans in the South. Both the U.S. and the Soviets realized that Korea was a strategic country. It was important to occupy because it lay between China, Japan, and the Soviet Union. North and South Korea were divided by the 38th parallel, it split the country into two regions. Russia and America became politically involved in Korea, each set up strong governments. The United States wanted Korea to be held under democratic rule, while the Soviets wanted communist rule. They took these conflicting views to the United Nations (UN), which had just been set up to prevent another world war and help with international elections. The UN decided that both sides of Korea should have their own elections. The elections were held on January 12, 1948. North Korea favoured communism, the people elected the Russians and Kim Il Sung, a former guerrilla leader. South Korea favoured democracy and formed the Republic of Korea under U.S. educated, Dr. Sygman Rhee. The Soviets left a communist dictatorship with a well-trained, well armed, North Korean-Soviet army. In fear of the

. . .

View the whole essay, without interruption

This is why president Truman removed the aggressive General Macarthur from his office and replaced him with General Ridgway, who was successful in defending the 38th parallel with his strategy known as the active defense.

Korea has become a battlefield between Russia and the United States. Unfortunately Kim Il Sung took the initiative and invaded South Korea, where a growing opposition welcomed the Northern Korean leader as a liberator and as the one, who re-united the two Koreas. This was the first time that the United Nations used military intervention to maintain peace. The Soviet Union would have been able to veto any military moves against North Korea until the war was over. The casualties were enormous on both sides and the social and economic damage was countless. However both sides were very careful with the arm-supplies, which were sent to Korea, because they feared that one side could use an atomic bomb to finish the struggle. In July 1953, the truce agreement was signed after a series of diplomatic problems about prisoners of war.

The Korean War dates from June 1950 to July 1953. General Macarthur sent troops behind enemy lines with amphibious vehicles so that the siege could be broken in a very efficient way. The UN had to be interpreted in a completely different way, because it was thought to be a peacekeeping organ with peaceful means. The reinforced army was successful in re-capturing Seoul on January 4, 1951. He then called President Truman and got his approval. It was necessary to repel the armed attack and regain international peace and security in the area.

Approximate Word count = 836
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Simply subscribe to view this paper, and 100,000 others.