Before you get started with this lesson, you should get a little background on the Korean War and its political influences. Analyze the following maps to review the geography of the Korean War.

Scroll over the map below to find the 38° Parallel.

Although the United States and the Soviet Union were allies in World War II, neither country trusted the other; soon they were engaged in the Cold War. Korea soon became the location for the first conflict of the Cold War. In North Korea, Russian forces supported the set up of a government friendly to the communist beliefs of the Soviet Union. In South Korea, a rival government based upon democratic principles was formed with the support of the United States. When the United States and the Soviet Union officially withdrew in 1949, armed camps occupied much of the Korean Peninsula. In the years to follow, and even present-day, the 38° Parallel would serve as the dividing line in Korea. (Notice North Korea's neighbor just across the Yalu River-Communist China.)

Below is a physical map of Asia.

Click on each country in the map legend to see which countries were under communist rule after World War II.

Click on each country in the map legend below. Notice how close China and Korea are to each other.

Activity:
After analyzing the maps, answer the following question in your notes.
"The countries of Russia, China, and North Korea all had communist regimes. How does the geography, or location, of these countries relate to the fact that they are communist?"

Political Influences of the Korean War:
Although the Korean War was sparked by the North Korean invasion of South Korea, there were political factors that fueled the actual fighting.

Scroll over the other political influences to learn more.