The United States and the Soviet Union emerged from World War II as the two superpowers of the world. The Soviet Union became the world leader for communism while the United States became the leader for democracy. The small Asian peninsula of Korea became an important location to test the Truman Doctrine, the Cold War foreign policy of the United States that was established to stop the spread of communism.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Click on the map below to locate Korea.

Video segment. Assistance may be required. Watch the following video about the division of the Korean peninsula and answer the questions that follow. Note: The video is the introduction to a larger program, and ends abruptly.

Source: The Korean War, LearnMediaofAmerica, YouTube

Activity:

In your notes, answer the following question:

What Happened?

Korea had been under the control of Japan since 1910. As World War II concluded, the Soviet Union and the United States coordinated an invasion of the peninsula to drive out the Japanese forces.The Soviets attacked from the North while the Americans entered from the South. Japanese troops surrendered to both the Soviet Union and the United States. The United States and the Soviet Union decided to divide Korea on a temporary basis. This agreement was called a trusteeship.

The Conflict

Korea had been divided at the 38° parallel into two occupation zones: Soviet in the north and American in the South. Both countries set up provisional, or temporary, governments in their respective zones. In the north, the Soviet Union influenced a communist government, while the United States influenced a democratic republic in the south that kept the two regions separate.

Image of a map of the Korean Conflict form 1950-1951. This is a map from the time period because China is labeled at Manchuria.

Source: Map 45 - The Korean War (1950-1951), U.S. Army Center of Military History

The Korean War started when the North Korean troops advanced past the 38° Parallel into South Korea with the intention of creating one communist state. The North Koreans were supported by the communist Chinese government and the Soviet Union.

Click on the flag to learn more about the United Nations:

Image of United Nations Flag

Source: United Nations Flag, United Nations

The United Nations was established in 1945 after WWII to maintain world peace, economic stability, human rights, and social and health standards among member nations. It provided a structure for negotiation and arbitration as well as a multi-national army to enforce its decisions. During the Korean War, it sent a force to aid democratic South Korea in its resistance against the invading communist North Korea. Close

The newly formed United Nations voted to resist the North Korean invasion with the strong support of U.S. troops. In 1950, President Truman named General Douglas MacArthur commander of United Nations forces and ordered him to lead troops in a "peace action" in Korea.

The documents below are the Resolution from the United Nations' Security Council drafted on June 25, 1950. These are copies from President Truman's secretary's files.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Click on each document to highlight the important areas.


Activity:
In your notes, rewrite the highlighted portions of the resolution in your own words. Use this information to help you later in the lesson.