How did the Cold War lead to the Korean War?

Question

What was the result of the war? Which side gained the most?

in the simplest answer that can be given. =]

Answer 1

Korea has been separated to North and South in 1945. In 1950, Soviet Union-supporting North Korea invaded USA-friendly South Korea. Most of the South Korea was conquered by the North in few months. General MacArthur convinced USA to 'save' South Korea, the war lasted 3 years and the country border went back to almost initial state.
The war is not officially finished yet, it's just cease firing for now.
Which side gained more? I think both side lost millions and millions of precious lives in vain..
This kind of history should not be repeated.

Answer 2

It was essentially a battle over idealogies (Communism vs Democracy). Since they are in opposition economically, not to mention socially and morally, Japan would have been isolated in the East if Korea was completely communist. We were shoring up Japan after WWII and we were concerned with our own security as well. The idea was to provide security and a trading partner in the East not to forget that communism is extremely oppressive to freedom and growth. People suffer and Americans like to spread freedom and good fortune (well some do). Most people are ignorant of the benefits of democracy to all people. It is not a perfect system but is far superior to communism.

The result of the war was an armistice which exists to this day. The war is really not over. It has been at a stalemate for over 50 years. The best evidence of what really works, democracy or communism, is obvious when you look at the two societies (North Korean and South Korea). Clearly, South Korea has prospered. It would take hours to list the benefits to keeping South Korea free and democratic while in the North the list would be as long identifying the atrocities, starvation, oppression, and suffering among the lower classes. I have even heard reports of cannibalism among the starving people. Of course, the worst result of the North's communism is the Nazi like dictatorship, fascism, and the nuclear threat.

There are some really good books on the topic. Also read about China's role in the Korean War which led to the stalemate.

Answer 3

See this page.

The cold war started when both the USA and the USSR had developed nuclear weapons and wanted other countries to adopt their own political system (democracy or communism).

See the section of the wikipedia page headed 'Post-WWII Division of Korea'.

See the 'Legacy' section for 'What was the result of the war'.

Most people were losers, but one part of the legacy sections says 'The war led to a strengthening of alliances in the Western bloc and the splitting of China from the Soviet bloc.', so in that sense the USA and their allies in NATO gained something.

The South Koreans gained the most though, as they have enjoyed freedom from Japanese, Soviet and Chinese occupation, a rapidly increasing standard of living and a democratic government.

Answer 4

Surrogate countries were used to avoid nuclear war.

Answer 5

the US was against Russia and so when Russia became involved in North Korea's affairs, we joined South Korea in an effort to fight communism. i believe it ended in a stalemate.