consequences of the Korean War

Question 1

1st consequence

Answer 1

The first effect of the Korean War was that SEATO was formed

• SEATO formed as an anti-communist containment bloc in Asia
• the USA, part of SEATO, now committed itself to supporting other countries in Asia trying to resist communism, tripling their defense budget after the war

-> further reinforcing America as the leader in the fight against communism

Question 2

2nd consequence

Answer 2

The second effect was that tension between the USA and the Soviet Union and so increased the size of their armed forces and entered an arms race

• they were afraid that the Cold War may develop into a direct military confrontation between the two superpowers
• the USA increased its forces in Europe and the USSR increased troops from 2.8 million to 5.8 million between 1959-55
• their desire to have a stronger military force led to a nuclear arms race as both the USA and the Soviet Union tried to gain military supremacy over their rival. For example, when the USA developed the hydrogen bomb, the Soviet Union also developed one, and one year later
• however both sides understood the risks involved in using nuclear weapons, so they acted as a deterrent

-> The competition reinforced the idea that the superpowers during the Cold War