Discuss the role of the United States in Korea in the decade after World War 2.

After World War II, Korea was split into two nations,
North Korea ruled by Kim Il Sung and supported by USSR while South Korea was ruled by
Syngman Rhee and supported by the US. When Communist took over China, the U.S. started
to prepare for possible war in order to defend South Korea since it was a strategic
point near USSR. With US aid (sanctioned by UN), South Korea was able to push back the
North Koreans to the original divide line, however the US wanted to completely unite
Korea, threatening China’s national security. Thus, China sent troops to push the US
back to the 38th parallel again. This military stalemate proved detrimental to Truman,
especially after he dismissed General MacArthur, war hero of World War II and the Korean
War. Truman’s failed promises for a swift, democratic victory in Korea led to skepticism
towards Democratic solutions to the Korean War, the nuclear arms race, and the Cold War
in general. Thus, the Republicans were able to win the election of 1952 with Dwight D.
Eisenhower, who promised an end to the war through peaceful
means.