Activity 1 - Why was Korea divided?

  1. Select - This lesson you will complete this worksheet as a class by working in groups to examine the role of one nation in causing both the division of Korea in 1948, and the Korean War in 1950.
  2. Recall - Examine Slides 16-17 of this previous Lesson Presentation on Cold War events in Asia. Make notes on how Korea became divided. 
  3. Analyse - Dig a little deeper by examining this Lesson Presentation about why Korea became divided between 1945-1948. Add examples of evidence and events on your worksheet that could be used to prove your nation's involvement.
  4. Discuss - In your groups compare your notes so far on why Korea became divided. Who, or what, was most to blame for the division of Korea in 1948? 

Activity 2 - Who's to blame for the war?

  1. Examine - Explore Slides 1-13 of this Lesson Presentation and add examples of evidence and events on your worksheet that could be used to prove your nation's involvement in causing the Korean War of 1950.
  2. Read - In your groups, read and make notes from this article about the causation of the Korean War, making sure to record events related to your nations involvement on your worksheet.
  3. Watch - Watch and make notes from this episode of the CNN series ‘The Cold War’ up to 10.52 mins. Add notes to your worksheet related to your nation's involvement on your worksheet.
  4. Discuss - In your groups, compare your findings on the role of each nation in causing the Korean War. Who does the evidence seem to suggest was to blame for causing the war?
  5. Write - Summarise your views on this topic by writing a paragraph answer to the question, “To what extent was the USSR to blame for causing the Korean War?”.

Activity 3 - How do perspectives differ?

  1. Explore - Review and make notes on the different perspectives on the causes of the war from Slides 14-16 of the Lesson Presentation.
  2. Discuss - As a class, review each of the perspectives and consider whether you believe their claims or not. Suggest one value, and one limitation for each historiographical approach.
  3. Consolidate - Consolidate your understanding of the causes of the Korean War by completing this Diamond 9 activity. 

Further Reading

OBLIGATORY READING
  1. Mamaux, A. (2015). Oxford IB Diploma Programme: The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries, pp. 76-81
RECOMMENDED READING
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
  1. Malkasian, C. (2001). Osprey Essential Histories: The Korean War 1950-1953, pp. 10-17
MRBUDDHISTORY.COM was created in 2012 in order to support the learning of students in History. The site is devoted to creating high-quality and accessible teaching and learning resources for history education and other humanities subjects.