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Stalin's agreement to Kim Il Sung's invasion of the South
Stalin's cautious agreement of Kim's invasion of the South shifts the responsibility of starting the Korean War to the USSR. By providing military advisors and supplies (during May and June 1950), Stalin's support for Kim's invasion encouraged him. #question1
However, Stalin's considerations in agreeing to Kim's invasion stem from his desire to outdo USA, and also to secure their borders. Therefore, Stalin's perception of the War indicates it to be a Cold War and regional conflict. #question2 -
Period: to
The Korean War
A summary of events spanning the duration of the Korean War which will help us answer the following questions:
1. Who was responsible for the Korean War?
2. What kind of conflict was the Korean War?
3. Who manipulated whom during the Korean War? -
The Start of N. Korea's Invasion
90 000 North Korea's battle-hardened troops and spearheaded by 150 T-34 tanks, smashed through South Korean borders and defences. The formal invasion of the South was commanded by Kim and it can be argued that the official start of this War was commandeered by North Korea. question1 -
USA's involvement in the Korean War
Truman's commitment of 260 000 American troops confirms the USA's perception of the Korean War as a Cold War conflict. With great suspicion about possible Soviet Expansionism and the Domino Theory about Soviet Communism as Truman's primary motivation, the Korean War became a Cold War conflict from USA's perspective. #question2
USA's responsibility lies in prolonging and enlarging the scale of the war, rather than starting it. #question1 -
Peace Talks between North & South
Stalemate on both sides of the ground encouraged peacetalks to seek a negotiated end to hostilities. Talks commenced, but dragged on for two years due to:
1. Stalin's urging of Mao and Kim to extract political concessions from the US - elucidates the influence and hence responsibility of the USSR in the War. #question1
2. POW Question - Rhee's attempt to disrupt talks to further his political ambitions #question3 (minor manipulating major powers) -
Death of Stalin
Stalin's death, which accelerated the conclusion of peacetalks, highlights the extent of influence he had over the Korean War and Kim. Therefore, his responsibility in contributing towards the start and end of the war cannot be denied. #question1 -
Prisoners of War (POW) Question
Rhee's desire for the prolongation of the Korean War to satisfy his political ambitions resulted in this attempt to disrupt peace talks. The abrupt release of 27 000 POWs under his control without consulting the USA damaged peacetalks significantly. This is an attempt by the minor power (S. Korea) to manipulate the major power (USA). However, Rhee was unsuccessful as the US developed Operation Eveready for the complete takeover of the S. Korean government in case of a revolt. #question3 -
Successful Armstice
Stalin's death + compromise on the matter of repatriation resulted in an armstice. The terms of ceasefire identified a line (roughly the 38th parallel) as the boundary between North and South Korea.
