The Korean War: An International History: An International History

This first truly international history of the Korean War argues that by its timing, its course, and its outcome it functioned as a substitute for World War III. Stueck draws on recently available materials from seven countries, plus the archives of the United Nations, presenting a detailed narrative of the diplomacy of the conflict and a broad assessment of its critical role in the Cold War. He emphasizes the contribution of the United Nations, which at several key points in the conflict provided an important institutional framework within which less powerful nations were able to restrain the aggressive tendencies of the United States. In Stueck's view, contributors to the U.N. cause in Korea provided support not out of any abstract commitment to a universal system of collective security but because they saw an opportunity to influence U.S. policy. Chinese intervention in Korea in the fall of 1950 brought with it the threat of world war, but at that time and in other instances prior to the armistice in July 1953, America's NATO allies and Third World neutrals succeeded in curbing American adventurism. While conceding the tragic and brutal nature of the war, Stueck suggests that it helped to prevent the occurrence of an even more destructive conflict in Europe. This First Truly International History Of The Korean War Argues That Its Timing, Its Course, And Its Outcome Made It In Effect A Substitute For World War Iii. Stueck Draws On Recently Available Materials From Seven Countries, Plus The Archives Of The United Nations, Presenting A Detailed Narrative Of The Diplomacy Of The Conflict And A Broad Assessment Of Its Critical Role In The Cold War. In Stueck's View, Contributors To The Un Cause In Korea Provided Support Not Out Of Any Abstract Commitment To A Universal System Of Collective Security But Because They Saw An Opportunity To Influence U.s. Policy. At The Moment Of Chinese Intervention In Korea In The Fall Of 1950, As In Other Instances Prior To The Armistice In July 1953, Nato Allies And Third World Neutrals Succeeded In Curbing American Adventurism And So In Blocking The Spread Of Hostilities To Other Parts Of The World. While Conceding The Tragic And Brutal Nature Of The War, Stueck Suggests That It Helped To Prevent The Occurrence Of An Even More Destructive Conflict In Europe. The Origins Of The Korean War -- The Diplomacy Of Confrontation And Consolidation -- Diplomacy Fails: The Un Counteroffensive And Chinese Intervention -- Limiting The War -- The Dimensions Of Collective Action -- Armistice Talks: Origins And Initial Stages -- Progress -- Deadlock -- Concluding An Armistice -- The Korean War As International History. William Stueck. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [447]-468) And Index. This book presents a balanced account of the Korean War, from its origins in 1950 to the armistice agreement four years later, on the basis of exhaustive research in the documents of the nations involved in the war Presents a history and analysis of the Korean War, focusing on the contributions of the United Nations, diplomacy of the conflict, and its role in the Cold War