Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

COLD WAR cuban missile crisis

 

At the end of the Second World War Korea was put in a situation similar to that of Germany. Although the conference at Yalta between the "big three" reached an agreement that Korea would be liberated and self-governed it was soon changed at the conference in Potsdam. It then had been decided that the Soviet forces would occupy North of the country and the Americans would occupy the south. Korea then became divided in two at the 38th parallel. A communist leader Kim Il sung had taken over the north and from 1948 a US-favoured leader Syngman Rhee, had become president of South Korea. By the end of June 1949 both Soviet and United States troops withdrew, leaving two already hostile governments to sort out their differences for themselves. .
             On the 25th of June 1950 North Korean troops suddenly crossed the 38th parallel on a full-scaled invasion of the South. The North Korean army was extensively equipped with Soviet Weapons and tanks. The invasion by the North Koreans was very quick and swift, as within 2 months the whole of Korea except a small area around the southern port of Chusan had been occupied by the Northern army. On hearing the news from Korea the Americans reacted drastically, with Truman immediately ordering US forces in Japan, led by General MacArthur to help South Korea. Truman then put in a proposal in the United Nations Security Council to back the use of American Troops in Korea, since the soviets were boycotting the Security Council in protest against the exclusion of the People's Republic of China, they were unable to use their veto. As a result the United Nations supported the United States and called on other countries to fight alongside the Americans in Korea. Soldiers from a number of countries including Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France and 12 other small countries fought alongside the Americans in the war.
             At first the North Korean attack was successful and their defeat seemed certain until the UN sea-borne forces landed and Inchon and recaptured Seoul.


Essays Related to COLD WAR cuban missile crisis