The Pillars of American Imperialism: Rationalizing U.S. Cold War Involvement in the Republic of Korea
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Date
2007-06
Authors
Moon, William J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal
Abstract
Developmental economists refer to South Korea's economic "miracle" -
contrary to North Korea's economic disaster - as a shining example that
glorifies the ultimate victory of American capitalism. It is precisely that logic
in which many people hasten to call direct U.S. interventions in third world
nations during the Cold War a function of imperialism. After all, unlike the
European model of imperialism, American involvement in Korea ultimately
benefited both sides. The purpose of this paper is to uncover the truth, often covered under decades of Cold War rhetoric. For example, while
Americans did not "colonize" Korea, Americans fundamentally altered the
historical fate of Korea. It was precisely the State Department's paranoia of
"Red Expansion" that triggered the division of Korea, which created a
breeding ground for friction that would develop into one of the bloodiest
armed conflicts in human history - The Korean War. In the end, it was the
Koreans, among other citizens of the "hot" regions around the globe, who
disproportionately paid the price for the Cold War.
Description
Keywords
Cold War -- Social aspects -- United States
Citation
Moon, WIlliam J. (2007). The Pillars of American Imperialism: Rationalizing U.S. Cold War Involvement in the Republic of Korea. Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal, 2(1).