Korean War (1950-1953)

Name?

Korean War Japanese Occupation of the Korean Peninsula (1910 - 1945)

World War 2 (1939 - 1945)

38th Parallel:

● North - the Soviet’s occupation● South - the US’s occupation

June 25, 1950: North initiated the War

Kim, Il Sung vs. Lee, Syngman

Syngman Rhee

Kim Il-Sung

Ph.D from Princeton University

Nationalist & Conservative

Worked for Korea’s independence in US (Pro-US)

1st president of South Korea

Christian background

Battalion Commander, 88th Brigade; (CPT) of the Soviet Red Army During WW2

Was appointed by Stalin (A.K.A Godfather)

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea

Causes of the Korean War?

Stimulus-Response Theory

The Soviet Union vs. the US

Balance of Power

The Soviet Union vs. China

Economy Theory

Economic Downturn led the War!

Individual Aggressiveness both Ilsung Kim and Syngman Rhee were dictators

South Korea and North Korea both believed the use of force was inevitable for unification. Reconciliation was not considered.

power-oriented people, domineering personality: advocate the use of military force

Realist Theory of War I Proxy War: Powerful states felt responsible to keep balance of power and leaders held national role conceptions

Strategic Value: US Secretary of State Acheson’s speech

Expected Utility Theory: swings in military superiority

Realist Theory of War IIStatus Quo: USSR, China were expansionist states

Power Transition Theory: shift in power in favor of

revisionist state

Geography & IdeologyCommunism v. Capitalism

Hegemonic War: dominant power v. rising challenger

psychohistorical in Korean War?Syngman Rhee- Extreme anti-communism

- Self-righteousness

- high esteem of his belief

ex) use of force for unifying Koreas

Kim Il Sung- opposite of Syngman Rhee’s belief

-radical communism

- high esteem of his anticipation

ex) early phase in Korean war

Misperception?Declaration of Acheson Line by United States in 1950

-Opportunity for North Korea could invade South Korea following year

-At the same time, North Korea didn’t anticipate US involvement in Korea peninsula

China’s involvement in 1950s

- Truman administration’s false assessment of PRC’s capability

Kim Il Sung’s anticipation for Korean War

Balance of Power?38th parallel became clear division line between two Koreas.

Armistice signed in 1953 by UN, PRC, DPRK.