A. Plan of investigation
The research is intended to assess the validity of the justifications that were put forward by American politicians for ensuring military involvement in Korea (1950-53). In doing so I will look at the extent to which American involvement in the Korean War was justifiable.
The research will consider mainly American interests in South Korea and their foreign policy which is believed to be one of the main factors that led to their involvement in the war. As widely known the invasion of South Korea by North Korea in June 1950 marked the first proxy war in the cold war and also UN involvement in the war. In the research will provide answers as to UNs level of involvement and commitment to what was happening in South Korea before the outbreak of the war and during the war.
The conclusion will be based on the study of two main sources; two text books. The books are Cold war to Détente 1945-1985 and Origins of the Korean War. Henceforth these two sources will be analyzed and their validity examined. To aid the research with a broader scope for evaluation other sources will be used and these include general history text books.
B. Summary of evidence
When World War Two ended two super powers emerged, USA and USSR, who were soon plunged in a Cold War. A war in which the two super powers strived hard to show their superiority over the other. Amongst many things they were competing for domination spread of their ideologies were, by many standards, the most important. Shortly after the war US introduced their policy of containment to stop the spread of Communism.
Crisis in Korea marked the first proxy war and Cold War outside Europe. Each country played different roles in the development of events in Korea. It should be remembered that as a country Korea had been assisted by the two super powers in their war with Japan. Interestingly Korea was divided into two during the war with USA in South Korea and USSR in the north of the country. In...