What were the major differences between the Korean and Vietnam wars?

Although many believe the world would be a better place if everyone were to get along and agree on social differences, but in the end these differences are the root cause of many wars. These two major wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, not only had serious impact within the country, but also give a prime example of how similar and different between the two. Both wars were commenced similarly from its conflict with expansion of a communist government and the involvement of the United States. Differences came from the involvement of the United Nation and the outcome of both wars. The similarity between the two wars is the the factor of what the established government would be. The Korean War was between two…show more content…
During the period of both wars, the U.S. committed to preventing further growth of communism. During the Korean War, the South gained backing and assistance of the U.S., reasoning that the government of North Korea were wanting to pursue the expansion of their communism towards the south of Korea. With the increasing growth of American troops, air and naval forces, and strategic combat, the intervention of the U.S. slowed the North Koreans from advancing south. American involvement in Vietnam was an implementation of the Containment Policy, which was a the obligation of U.S. foreign approach makers to terminate the expansion of communism (Vietnam War). With the participation of the U.S., the South was provided financial assistance and military hardware. This permitted North Vietnamese troops to retain their militia in the south.
A difference between the wars were that the United Nations took a vital part in the Korean War. This made the Korean War in which an international organization played a major role. After the North Korean Invasion, the United Nations adjured member countries to come to the assistance of South Korea. Sixteen countries responded by sending troops, while forty-one countries sent food, equipment, and other supplies (Korean War). With the assistance of the U.N., South Korea was provided with core military strategic direction, fighting units, weapons, tanks, and medical assistance for the anti-communist war effort

The Vietnam War began in 1954 and ended in 1975, two years after Nixon ordered the withdrawal of US troops. Vietnam had been colonized by the French since 1887. Like Korea, Vietnam had also been occupied by the Japanese during World War II. After their defeat, the Japanese withdrew from Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh, a communist political leader, quickly gained control in North Vietnam, while French-backed Emperor Bao Dai retreated to the South. Both sides signed a treaty in Geneva, splitting Vietnam along the 17th parallel, with Ho controlling the North and Bao controlling the South.

Despite the 17th parallel, many Vietnamese communists, known as the Viet Cong, began attacking the Southern government. The US was worried about a domino effect, believing that if one Southeast Asian country fell to communism, the others would easily follow. Thus, under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, the US sent more troops to support South Vietnam amidst Viet Cong attacks. In August of 1964, the North Vietnamese attacked two US warships in the Gulf of Tonkin, and the US retaliated by bombing North Vietnam and sending more troops to be stationed in South Vietnam.

The nation's major magazines devoted their September 1943 covers to portrayals of women in war jobs, creating approximately 125 million advertisements. Womanpower ads, most of which were full pages, were among the interior pages of these magazines. Motion pictures, newspapers, radio, trade press, employee publications, and in-store displays all tied in importantly. Even museums participated, with the Museum of Modern Art in New York conducting a contest for the best magazine covers.