Question

Write a 7-15 sentence review on the Korean War

Answer 1

The Korean War was largely a symptom of the greater Cold War between Western and Communist forces. The United States entered the war when it became apparent that democratic, capitalist South Korea was going to lose to Communist North Korea. The United States not only pushed North Korea back the original borders between the two Koreas, but continued to push northward under the direction of General Douglas McArthur.

This turned out to be a poor decision, drawing in communist China, who feared encirclement by the United States and her allies (Korea shares its northern border with China). China's involvement was devastating, sending hundreds of thousands of troops into the Korean peninsula and pushing the western alliance southward. The clash between these powerful forces eventually resulted in a ceasefire along the 38th parallel, the original border between the two Koreas. It is a ceasefire that still holds to this day. 

The Korean War had many interesting and far-reaching consequences, including the protection of South Korea which went on to become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. It also led, several decades later, the nuclear crisis which the world finds itself in today.