Communism in the Cold War

Essay by Lightninggt March 2006

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From the conclusion of the Second World War to the late 1970's, United States of America, along with other countries in its alliances, fought various wars around the world, including Korean War and the Vietnam War, in order to put a stop to the growing influence of communism as well as address the growing threat of nuclear warfare. This war period is collectively referred to as the Cold War, which actually consisted of numerous proxy wars. Wars in the Cold War period include the Korean War and the Vietnam War, which involved the communist powers of the world in opposition to the democratic powers and their allies. While the war in Korea lasted three years before a ceasefire was drawn, the war in Vietnam continued on longer. The reasons for these wars are numerous yet the goals of the two wars were similar. The communist parties, backed by the USSR, tried to gain power in North Korea; in northern Vietnam, known as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the communists, backed by the USSR and China, attempted to control the southern parts of their country.

While the communist powers of the USSR and China lent military strength and technology to the communist forces in both Korean and Vietnam, help from the United States and its Allies overcome the power of what the Americans thought was a potential threat to world democracy and stability.

At the end of the Second World War, Korea was divided into two parts because an agreement made between the United States and the USSR following the defeat of Japan; that the Japanese would surrender their territory north of the 38th parallel Russia, and the area south of the 38th parallel to the Americans. The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 with the invasion from North...