Here is my ranked list of the main causes of the Korean War with brief explanations: 1. Tensions from the division of Korea - The division of Korea at the 38th parallel after WWII left the two halves with competing governments and ideologies, fueling tensions that escalated over time. 2. Stalin giving approval for North Korean invasion - Stalin saw an opportunity to extend communist influence in Asia and disrupt the US, so he agreed to Kim Il Sung's proposal to invade South Korea, believing the US would not intervene. 3. US policy shift to rolling back communism - The US abandoned containment and aimed to rollback communism per NSC-68, signaling to adversaries like North Korea that the US was more willing to

1. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

2. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

3. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

4. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

5. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

6. The Korean War:
A Cold War Conflict

7. Background:
• At The end of WWII, Korea was
freed from the Japanese.
• US troops stayed in South Korea
and Soviet troops remained in
North Korea until 1946. The
country was split in half at the 38th
parallel:
–

8. Overview/Background:
Background:
• At The end of WWII, Korea was
freed from the Japanese.
• US troops stayed in South Korea
and Soviet troops remained in
North Korea until 1946. The
country was split in half at the 38th
parallel:
–

9. Overview/Background:
Background:
• At The end of WWII, Korea was
freed from the Japanese.
• US troops stayed in South Korea
and Soviet troops remained in
North Korea until 1946. The
country was split in half at the 38th
parallel:
–

10. A Country Divided

11. Background:
• The USSR installed the
Communist, one-party state
under Kim Il Sung in north
• The USA installed an anti-communist
government (non-democratic) under
Syngman Rhee in south

12. Overview/Background:
Background:
• The USSR installed the
Communist, one-party state
under Kim Il Sung in north
• The USA installed an anti-communist
government (non-democratic) under
Syngman Rhee in south

13. – The 1945 agreement to hold nation-wide elections
was abandoned as the Cold War developed
The situation in Korea has sometimes
been compared to the situation in
Germany in 1945.
•How these situations were similar?
•How they were different?

14. US Concerns::
• China becomes Communist
• CIA finds evidence of Soviet
interference
Cominform helped Communists in
Malaya, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines
and North Korea
• US fears ‘Red Tide’ sweeping
Asia
US believed all “Red” governments took
orders from Moscow (USSR)

15. Domino Theory
In the Far East, too, Communism
was getting powerful – China
turned Communist in1949.
Truman believed that, if one
country fell to Communism,
then others would follow, like a
line of dominoes. He was
worried that, if Korea fell, the
Communists would capture
Japan.

16. Domino Theory

17. Domino Theory

18. Domino Theory
“Asia is where the communist
conspirators have decided to make
their play for global conquest. If
we lose this war, the fall of Europe
is inevitable. There is no choice
but victory.”
– The US General MacArthur, speaking
in 1950.

20. The USA Changes Policy

21. The USA Changes Policy
In April 1950, the American National Security Council issued
a report (NSC 68) recommending that America abandon
'containment' and start 'rolling back' Communism.

22. The USA Changes Policy
In April 1950, the American National Security Council issued
a report (NSC 68) recommending that America abandon
'containment' and start 'rolling back' Communism.

23. In what ways is the USA thinking differently about the
world?

24. A change in Policy comes
with a change in ideas
In what ways is the USA thinking differently about the
world?

25. In 1949, Kim II Sung persuaded
Stalin that he could conquer
South Korea. Stalin did not
think that America would dare
to get involved, so he gave his
agreement. Stalin saw a chance
to continue the cold war and
discomfort America, but ‘at
arm’s length’ – without directly
confronting the Americans.
Kim II Sung also went to see
Mao Zedong, the leader of
China, to get his agreement.

26. Stalin gets involved in the Far East
In 1949, Kim II Sung persuaded
Stalin that he could conquer
South Korea. Stalin did not
think that America would dare
to get involved, so he gave his
agreement. Stalin saw a chance
to continue the cold war and
discomfort America, but ‘at
arm’s length’ – without directly
confronting the Americans.
Kim II Sung also went to see
Mao Zedong, the leader of
China, to get his agreement.

27. Stalin gets involved in the Far East
In 1949, Kim II Sung persuaded
Stalin that he could conquer
South Korea. Stalin did not
think that America would dare
to get involved, so he gave his
agreement. Stalin saw a chance
to continue the cold war and
discomfort America, but ‘at
arm’s length’ – without directly
confronting the Americans.
Kim II Sung also went to see
Mao Zedong, the leader of
China, to get his agreement.

28. Stalin gets involved in the Far East
In 1949, Kim II Sung persuaded
Stalin that he could conquer
South Korea. Stalin did not
think that America would dare
to get involved, so he gave his
agreement. Stalin saw a chance
to continue the cold war and
discomfort America, but ‘at
arm’s length’ – without directly
confronting the Americans.
Kim II Sung also went to see
Mao Zedong, the leader of
China, to get his agreement.

29. Syngman Rhee of South Korea
In 1950, Syngman Rhee boasted that he
was going to attack North Korea. It was
a good enough excuse – on June 25,1950
the North Koreans invaded South Korea.

30. Korean War Begins
TASK: You must rank the main causes of the
Korean War. Starting with #1 being the most
important cause, compile your list. Include
a brief explanation to support your choices.