Daniel Boorstin, former librarian of Congress, observed that making decisions today without a knowledge of a problem’s history is like trying to plant cut flowers. It just doesn’t work.
The North Korean leader has repeatedly experimented with nuclear weapons and missile systems and has threatened the US. Must we destroy North Korean nukes in a preemptive strike? Must we topple its entire lunatic regime? President Trump has confronted North Korea and deployed some muscle to the area. What’s next?
We don’t claim to know, but we do know that history will shed some light on our choices and their consequences.
The forgotten war without a resolution
We call the Korean war “the forgotten war.” Sandwiched between the great victory of World War Two in 1945 and the agony of Vietnam in the 1960s, the Korean war ended in a truce, but not peace.
North and South Korean officials did not shake hands and did not speak to another at the 1953 signing. Artillery shells boomed in the background. Nothing like the Japanese surrender aboard the Missouri in 1945.
Some quick background: the nation of Korea was part of the Japanese empire during World War II. When Japan fell in 1945, its troops in northern Korea surrendered to the Soviets and those in the south surrendered to Americans. The division of Korea was now de facto reality.
One nation, two hostile states, each claiming to be the “real” Korea, while the other was the “traitor.” In 1950, North Korea attacked South Korea and the Korean War lasted three years. Danger has lurked ever since.
Nobody won the Korean War
Since the 1953 truce, North and South Korea have followed different paths. North Korea has built one of the most repressive regimes on earth while South Korea has surged into the 21st century with technology, education and commerce. Will the two estranged brothers clash again like Caine and Abel? Will the US charge into the fight?
Our video offers five lessons that history teaches that can provide insight into today. And don’t worry, it’s not a link to an episode of MASH.
Is there another Korean War memorial in America’s future? We hope not.
Did our video offer you any insight from history into today’s issues? That’s our goal. Support us by subscribing to our blog and by sharing our posts and videos. Thank you!