Korean War Dbq Essay

The impact of the Korean War had both complex short term and long term implications. There was no winner of the war, there were only positive or negative consequences of the war on all countries involved. Both North and South Korea suffered massively. Population decrease, economic and infrastructure were damaged. The war caused a huge loss of skilled workers, impacting the export quality and capacity long term. South Korea was modernized post-war with the help of the US. The North Korean economy was able to recover of being supported and dependent on Russia post-war, but when the Soviet Union collapsed, the country went into crisis. A ceasefire was signed, without the South Korean president, and consequently, both countries are still at war.

Money was allocated to research, weapon development and stockpiling. Increasing spending in the military sector helped stimulate the economy, at the expense of cutting welfare programs. Document NSC 68 was a classified report issued by the National Security Council that emphasized the aggressiveness of Russian behavior and called for the rearmament of America. It was the definitive document in shaping the United Sates military policy and government budget allocation. The government increased taxes to the highest the country has every experienced in order to pay for further military growth and development. One of the mindset portrayed in the document was “we always need to negotiate with the Soviet Union out of a place of strength” causing a rapid rearmament of America. Based off money poured into research, the hydrogen bomb was developed in 1954. The document also outlined strategies to both undermine Russian economy and make the Russian people our ally in order to undermine the Soviet government internally. They would also update sympathetic media before an official press release to make sure everyone is on the same

The United States also created an alliance with Australia and New Zealand under the AZUS treaty and Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Thailand all signing under SEATO helped them gain influence and credibility. The United States formed alliances with Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, creating a dependance on protection along with establishing military bases in the country. The US was also able to bring West Germany under NATO helping them lean more toward western economy and influence. The war helped initiate the policy of the “domino effect" to justify war with Vietnam later on, taking a decisive stance on the spread of Communism.

The Korean war was a disaster for the Soviet Union. Their goal was to put all of Korea under Communist control, which they didn’t succeed in. The Soviet’s aggression led them to be perceived on the world stage as willing and able to help third world countries establish Communism which helped them grow in