Description
Book SynopsisThe Korean War grew out of the Cold War, it exacerbated the Cold War, and its impact transcended the Cold War. This work presents an analysis of the Korean War's major diplomatic and strategic issues. Beginning with the decision to divide Korea in 1945, it provides an interpretive synthesis for scholars and general readers alike.
Trade Review"An impressive contribution to the literature on the 'Forgotten War.'... Stueck effectively draws together previously disconnected strands into a single volume on the origins, conduct, and effects of that war... This is an important work and will likely appeal to the specialists and general readers alike."--Virginia Quarterly Review "A lively and balanced reassessment of the origins, character and impact of the Korean War... This book may be recommended to anyone wishing to obtain an up-to-date synthesis of the major disputes and controversies involved in the Korean war."--Peter Lowe, Journal of Military History "Korea, especially North Korea, has been the subject of many recent headlines. Hence, this work arrives at a most propitious time."--Choice "It enables readers to understand the war from a variety of different perspectives and ... helps shed light on the international dimensions of the conflict."--Gregg Brazinsky, Journal of Asian Studies "Stueck provides a cogent summary of the current scholarship, a clear explanation of his own views, and thought-provoking arguments that will stimulate further debate and research. In the process, Stueck sets forth a systematic and coherent overview of the background to the war, the major military operations, the long process pf the Truce Talks, and the consequences of the war. Thus, his book can also be read with profit as an introductory text and a basis for further reading."--Colonel Donald W. Boose, Jr., Parameters: Us Army War College Quaterly "William Stueck established himself as one of the leading historians of the early Cold War with the publication of The Korean War: An International History... The relevance of Rethinking the Korean War for current affairs arises from Stueck's persuasive account of both the importance of U.S. leadership in the world and the limits on its options. All Americans, not just scholars, could benefit from the lessons that this book offers. It points the way toward a new international history."--Lloyd E. Ambrosius, Reviews in American History
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xiii INTRODUCTION 1 PART I ORIGINS CHAPTER 1 The Coming of the Cold War to Korea 11 CHAPTER 2 Syngman Rhee, the Truman Doctrine, and American Policy toward Korea, 1947-1948 39 CHAPTER 3 Why the Korean War, Not the Korean Civil War? 61 PART II COURSE CHAPTER 4 The Road to Chinese Intervention, July-November 1950 87 CHAPTER 5 Why the War Did Not Expand beyond Korea, November 1950-July 1951 118 CHAPTER 6 Negotiating an Armistice, July 1951-July 1953: Why Did It Take So Long? 143 PART III BROADER ISSUES CHAPTER 7 The Korean War and the American Relationship with Korea 185 CHAPTER 8 The Korean War as a Challenge to American Democracy 213 Abbreviations 241 Notes 245 Index 277
