What was the Korean War and how did it contribute to the tensions of the Cold War?

What was the Korean War and how did it contribute to the tensions of the Cold War?

The Korean War was a conflict that took place from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, supported by the United States and other United Nations forces. It began when North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to reunify the country under communist rule.

The Korean War contributed to the tensions of the Cold War as it was seen as a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States viewed the conflict as part of the larger communist expansionist agenda, while the Soviet Union saw it as an opportunity to challenge American influence in the region. The war intensified the ideological divide between the two superpowers and further solidified the division of Korea into North and South, with each side aligned with one of the Cold War blocs. The Korean War also led to an arms race and increased military spending by both sides, escalating the overall tensions of the Cold War.