The Impact of the Korean War

What was the impact of the Korean War?

The Korean War lasted for just over 3 years. It resulted in a huge number of lives lost, and had a massive impact on US military spending, the United Nations, and the Cold War.

What was the impact of the Korean War on the USA's military spending?

The Korean War led the USA to increase military spending. In 1953 it spent $30 billion, approximately 14 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

What was the impact of the Korean War on the United Nations?

The Korean War was the first time the UN played a role in conflict. Its quick action to defend a nation fighting an aggressor earned it great respect. Its position as a world-leading organisation was strengthened, helping it shake off the poor reputation of its predecessor, the League of Nations.

What was the impact of the Korean War on the Cold War?

The Korean War was the first conflict of the Cold War, and as such affected it in a number of ways:

• ❖ With the Cold War now spreading to Asia, the USA built alliances with countries around the region, including the Philippines.
• ❖ The USA began to rebuild Japan, to prevent communism spreading there.
• ❖ The USA cut off relations with China, and threw its support behind the previous government that was now based in Taiwan.
• ❖ The USA entered into an alliance with Australia and New Zealand, called the ANZUS pact, whereby all three nations promised mutual aid in the event of an invasion.
• ❖ The USA increased its commitment to fighting communism and increased support to other nations for this purpose. Between 1950 and 1954, America spent $3 billion helping France to keep control of Vietnam against communist rebels.
• ❖ In the context of the Cold War it was a victory for the USA, as it had stopped the spread of communism. It was a defeat for the USSR, who wanted the opposite.
• ❖ The war did not lead to the USA and the USSR resolving their differences; in fact, the opposite happened. The USA was more committed than ever to containing communism and both sides entered into an arms race, which included increasing their respective nuclear capabilities.

What was the impact of the Korean War with regard to lives lost?

The Korean War was a bloody conflict. It is impossible to know exactly how many people died, but it is agreed the official human cost of the war was incredibly high for all nations involved:

• ❖ North Korea: 600,000 civilians killed or missing; 406,000 military personnel killed or missing; 1,500,000 military personnel wounded.
• ❖ South Korea: 1,000,000 civilians killed or missing; 217,000 military personnel killed or missing; 430,000 military personnel wounded.
• ❖ The USA: 36,600 military personnel killed or missing; 103,000 military personnel wounded.
• ❖ China: 600,000 military personnel killed or missing; 716,000 military personnel wounded.
• ❖ Other UN forces: 3,000 military personnel killed or missing; 12,000 military personnel wounded.