Causes of the Korean War

Question 1

What were the long-term causes of the Korean War?

Answer 1

Following the defeat of Japan at the end of WW2, Korea was divided into a soviet zone in the North and a US zone in the South. Korea remained divided, as agreement between the USA and USSR was impossible

Question 2

What were the medium-term causes of the Korean War?

Answer 2

1949, the South Korean government of Syngman Rhee was extremely vulnerable. The USA and USSR withdrew their troops from Korea, which led Kim II-Sung to believe that the South Korean government could be overthrown easily

Question 3

What were the short-term causes of the Korean War?

Answer 3

1950, USA refused to give aid and military assistance to South Korea. This convinced Kim that the USA would not stop a communist invasion of South Korea. Kim persuaded Stalin to agree to a North Korean invasion of South Korea

Question 4

With Stalin’s backing, when did Kim II-Sung order his troops to invade South Korea?

Answer 4

June 25, 1950