Demilitarised zone (DMZ) → created in 1953 → after 3 years of fighting between North and South Korea and their allies.
- Known as Korean war → conflict caused massive destruction of property and loss of life.
- also one of the first proxy wars fought in cold war
Korean war → demonstrated importance → of Korean peninsula to the communist bloc → as USSR and China → unwilling to lose North Korea. On other hand → US was unwilling to let South Korea → fall to communism. War would have major impact on course of Cold war and on politics in Asia Pacific.
1953 → 2 sides agreed to armistice to end fighting
- they were not able to agree to a peace treaty
- unfinished war → reflects bitterness and suspicion → which have continued to exist between the 2 states even until today.
Korea in Early 20th Century
Division of Korea into North and South
Division of Korea into North and South
Expansion of Cold War into Asia
Expansion of Cold War into Asia
Development of Korean War, 1950-1953
Development of Korean War, 1950-1953
Aftermath of Korean War
Conclusion
-
Korean war was central event in 20th century world history and was one of the most destructive conflicts in the world, where there were millions of casualties and many major cities destroyed
-
also one of the first instances of military conflict in cold war + confirmed status of communist China as an influential player in the international arena.
-
addition → creation of anti communist alliances and the Warsaw pact → worsened relations + heightened tensions between superpowers.
-
war had devastating impact on Korean peninsula.
-
caused terrible hardship + destruction → with many Koreans → losing their loved ones.
-
effects of war are still evident today → where families remain separated on either side of 38th parallel - yearning for reunion.
-
even now → no unification of Korean peninsula.