Module 4: US Interest in Korea

U.S. Interest in Korea

U.S. interest in Korea was shaped by the broader context of the Cold War and America's commitment to containing communism in Asia. Following the end of World War II, the United States found itself locked in a global ideological struggle with the Soviet Union, and the U.S. government was deeply concerned about the spread of communism, particularly in the wake of the Chinese Civil War. The Communist victory in China in 1949, known as the "loss of China," was a major blow to American foreign policy and raised fears that communism could spread across Asia, including to Korea. This fear was closely linked to the "domino theory," the idea that if one country in a region fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow suit, like falling dominos. As the first major test of this theory in East Asia, the Korean War became a flashpoint for U.S. policymakers determined to prevent the spread of communism to South Korea, which had become a key ally in the region.

In the months leading up to the war, the United States had already provided military and economic aid to the South Korean government under President Syngman Rhee, although American involvement remained limited. After the outbreak of hostilities in June 1950, the Americans were appalled at the poor performance of South Korea's military, in whom they had invested considerable time and money.  

Realizing that they could not possibly win without more U.S. assistance, President Harry S. Truman quickly committed U.S. forces to defend South Korea, viewing the North Korean invasion as a direct challenge to the policy of containment and a threat to American interests in the Pacific. The U.S. was also concerned about the stability of Japan, which was seen as a critical military and economic partner in the region. The U.S. military was determined to halt the North Korean advance and prevent the spread of communism in Korea, seeing the conflict as part of a larger Cold War struggle. Truman's decision to intervene marked a significant escalation in the Korean War, with American forces initially engaged in desperate defense operations.