IMPACT OF THE KOREAN WAR ON THE COLD WAR

• Expansion of the Cold War beyond Europe (KW)


  • First Cold War conflict outside Europe, where the superpowers fought using third parties (also known as proxies)

  • The superpower gets involved in a local conflict, take sides and supported different factions. However, They avoid direct military confrontation with each other.

  • With Korean War as the precedent, Cold War rivalry will continue to play out in different parts of the world e.g. Vietnam, Cuba and Middle East after 1950
• Intensified US involvement in the Asia-Pacfic(KW)


  • The Korean War changed how the Americans view the Asia-Pacific region. NSC-68 continued to shape US foreign policy.

  • Involvement of the Chinese in the KW made USA take a harsh stance against Communism

  • The fear of the ‘Domino’ effect and fear that Asia-Pacific will also fall to Communism
• Economic reconstruction of Japan(KW)

  • With China becoming communist, USA was all the more determined to help rebuild post-war Japan and prevent the spread of communism

  (Domino effect)

  • Japan was also a convenient base for American forces in Korea, and US military presence boosted Japanese economic recovery.

  • Till today, Japan and USA retain strong economic and military ties.
• Formation of SEATO(KW)

  • Following Korean war, USA made a huge effort to prevent the spread of Communism in the Asia-Pacific

  • USA set up the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO), comprising US, Britain, France, NZ, Australia, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines.

  • Some of the work SEATO did include holding joint military exercises, organize events to build economic and cultural ties
• Escalation of military tension in Europe (KW)

  • Korean War convinced NATO that the communist threat was real, and there was a need for concrete plans to counter the spread of Communism.

  • Militarisation of NATO established long-term defence plan to expand NATO’s forces. It also held military exercises between member states

  • US defence spending increased from 33% to 60% of its budget.

  • Rearmament by NATO members

  • New members like Greece, Turkey and West Germany were admitted

  • Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955