Impact on the United States

President Truman speaks

"if we let Korea down, the Soviet [Union] will keep right on going and swallow up one piece of Asia after another...and no telling what would happen in Europe."


The Korean War had a major impact on the United States, because it was one of the most important conflicts that this country ever engaged in. The Korean War was a necessary show of strength on the U.S side, that they would do anything to prevent the spread of communism. 

In October 1949, a communist government come to power in China, the world's most populated nation. Months later, Stalin and Mao Sedong (Chinese communist leader) signed a treaty of friendship and military cooperation. These events greatly alarmed the United States leaders. Communism seemed to be spreading around the world.

After World War II, Soviet forces occupied the northern half of Korea, while the United States occupied the southern part. The two halves were divided along the 38th Parallel. In the North the Soviets helped Kim II Sung to take control of the government. In the South the United States helped Syngman Rhee, to rule the South. Each leader wanted to reunify the country. But either side wanted to share power.

The Korean War started and the United States keeps backing South Korea because they didn't want communism to be spread through Asia and later in Europe. Both the communists and the non-communists made sure that the fighting did not spread to other countries. The horrors of WWII had just ended five years earlier and were still fresh in everyone's minds. Neither side wanted to start WWIII. 

The Korean War finally endend on July 27, 1953 when an Armistice agreement was signed between the North Korea and the UN. 


By: Diana D.