Korean War and the Cold War Division

1. SS7H3e Cold War and Korea

2. End of WWII • At the end of WWII, the United States and the Soviet Union (Russia today) had very different goals. • The Soviet Union wanted countries to be communist. • The United States wanted countries to be democracies.

3. Cold War • The US and Soviet Union found themselves in a Cold War (no fighting between these two) • They competed with each other to get as many governments in place around the world that were sympathetic to their own plans.

4. Capitalism vs. Communism • Capitalism you earn what you make (the better you are the more money you earn) • Think MARKET! • Communism  classless society where everyone is equal • Think COMMAND!

6. Korean Peninsula • At the end of WWII, the Soviet Union controlled the northern part of the peninsula, and the US controlled the southern part. • Both sides wanted their own form of government installed, so the two parts of the peninsula remained separate.

7. Domino Theory • The US believed that if any other countries in Southeast Asia accepted communist form of government, others would quickly follow. • If one country falls to communism, they all will.

8. Korean War • War broke out between the two countries in 1950, and after 3 years of fighting, the line between the nations was re-drawn to the original boundary, where it remains today. • North Korea remains communist under a dictator, with little economic progress. • South Korea has free elections and a democratic constitution, and has been much more successful.

9. 38th Parallel • Latitudinal line which split Korea between Communist North and Democratic South.

10. De-militarized Zone (DMZ) • The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.