Date of Award

3-7-1995

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Arts (DA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Albert I. Berger

Abstract

Intervention by the United States in the Korean War in June 1950 represented a remarkable reversal in the traditional American policy toward Korea. Washington's decision-makers had never considered Korea an area of vital importance for the United States. American policy toward Korea prior to 1950 was characterized by neglect.Washington's abandonment of its policy of neglect in June 1950 was not motivated by a sudden concern for the Korean people, however. It was, instead, caused by rising Cold War tensions.The United States had no diplomatic relations with Korea prior to 1882. Korea's long-time role as the "Hermit Kingdom" ended in 1876. In that year, Japan signed a commercial agreement with Korea. the accord represented the beginning of a new era in Korea's relations with the rest of the world.Japan's victory over Russia in 1905 secured its position as the dominant power in Korea. Japanese hegemony in Korea would not be challenged by the United States until World War II.Japan lost all of its colonies after its defeat in 1945. The United States and the Soviet Union could not agree on Korea's future, however. A frustrated Truman administration turned to the United Nations in an effort to end the stalemate. But the Soviet boycott of UN-sponsored elections led to the division of Korea in 1948.Both Korean governments claimed jurisdiction over the entire peninsula. The two men who led these rival regimes, Kim and Rhee, were equally determined to reign over a united nation. Since each viewed the other as nothing but a usurper, war became increasingly likely.Moscow generously supplied North Korea with large quantities of tanks, planes, and artillery. Washington failed to build up a deterrent in South Korea. The result of this imbalance was a near-disaster in June 1950.Washington's neglect of South Korea's armed forces might not have led to war had South Korea been covered by the Truman Doctrine. But the Truman Doctrine did not apply to Korea. Consequently, Dean Acheson's famous speech was not a misstatement of American policy towards Korea.The Truman administration misjudged North Korea's abilities and intentions. It had not anticipated either the timing or the strength of the North Korean attack on June 25, 1950. Moreover, Washington had never planned to defend South Korea.The abrupt reversal of America's traditional policy of indifference was caused by the Cold War. Cold War political pressures, both at home and abroad, forced the Truman administration to radically alter America's policy of neglect in June 1950.

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