Korea in World Politics, 1940-1950: An Evaluation of American ResponsibilityKorea in World Politics, 1940-1950: An Evaluation of American Responsibility provides an in-depth exploration of U.S. foreign policy and its profound impact on Korea during a transformative and tumultuous decade. Focused on the critical years from the Cairo Conference in 1943 to the brink of the Korean War in 1950, the book examines how American policy decisions contributed to the division of the Korean peninsula and the subsequent failure to achieve reunification. Through a meticulous analysis of diplomatic strategies, military occupation, and Cold War tensions, the study underscores the consequences of U.S. actions—or inactions—in shaping Korea's political trajectory. By tracing key moments like the implementation of the 38th parallel, failed negotiations with the Soviet Union, and the eventual establishment of two Koreas, the book highlights the complexities and missteps that cemented Korea's division. This scholarly work also delves into broader themes, such as the interplay of domestic Korean challenges, Soviet-American rivalry, and the nascent policies of containment. The author critiques the inadequacies of U.S. policy, emphasizing the disconnect between American ideals and practical implementation, as well as the lack of consistent coordination between policymakers in Washington and occupation authorities in Seoul. Written with both historical rigor and a personal lens, the book provides not only a critical assessment of American responsibility but also a heartfelt call for more informed and empathetic policy in the future. It offers valuable insights for understanding Korea's modern challenges and the enduring legacy of its division on global geopolitics. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1967. Many titles in the Voices Revived program are also newly available as ebooks, offered at a discounted price to support wider access to scholarly work. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 13 | |
The Shadow of Roosevelt and | 35 |
Liberation and Military Occupation of Korea | 61 |
The Moscow Agreement | 92 |
Impasse in the Joint U S Soviet Commission | 114 |
The Search for an Impossible Compromise | 137 |
United States Policy in the United Nations | 161 |
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Common terms and phrases
38th parallel A/AC administration American military American policy Asia Assembly August Cairo Ch'ulp'an China Chinese Chistiakov Chōsen Choson command Communist Conference Congress December democratic division division of Korea Dong-A Ilbo East economic election establishment Foreign Affairs Foreign Policy groups Han'guk History Hodge Hodge's Ibid Interim Japan Japanese Joint Commission June Kim Il-song Kim Koo Kimm KMAG Korean army Korean government Korean independence Korean leaders Korean Political Korean problem Korean War Korean Workers Party leftist MacArthur Manchuria meeting ment military government Molotov Moscow Agreement Moscow Decision North Korean occupation forces October Official organizations People's Republic Potsdam President Press proposal Provisional Government Pyongyang rean Report representatives Republic of Korea resolution rightist Roosevelt Russian Seoul Shinmun Session sion South Korea Soviet Union Stalin Summation Syngman Rhee tion Tokyo troops Truman trusteeship U.N. Document U.S. Department unification of Korea unified United Nations UNTCOK USAFIK Washington withdrawal Yalta York zones