Two effects 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 increased and so they both 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 1955-59
• 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