Skip to main content

1945-1953

A mere 5 years after our victories in Europe and the Pacific we found our nation enbroiled in another conflict: this time, on the Korean peninsula. The historical memory of the Korean War is one that is often misunderstood, confusing, and habitually considered "forgotten." The American collective memory—that is, how the conflict is remembered—has changed from decade to decade. We can see this by viewing the ideological, historical, and political ideas as they were portrayed through the media, personal writings, and government statements.

In the years leading up to and through the Korean War the narrative, as is normal during wartime, is one of a political nature. The nation was hearing both "hawkish" and "dovish" discussion concerning its involvement in Korea. Isolationists were touting their views on why the U.S. should stay out of the conflict while the armed forces and government officials were arguing just the opposite. "Dovish" fractions of the nation were arguing for an isolationist stance on the conflict, and, looking at the casualties from World War II, it can be easily understood why some Americans were very weary about another war. "Hawkish" segments of the nation argued that, as a "superpower" nation, it was America's duty to protect its interest abroad. Ironically, the political talk of the time centered very little on stopping the spread on communism and more on “punching Stalin in the nose"—that is, to show the Soviet Union that United States would not back down from a fight. Intermingled within the political debate was the narrative on just what would constitute victory in Korea and how those goals could be achieved achieved. Separated from the political aspect of the narrative is the plight of the American soldiers, their families, and how the Korean War would come to affect them.

In conclusion, the historical memory coming from this time period was one of political nature. This incorporated the divisions within the nation arguing for and against the nation's involvement in the Korean peninsula, what the political and military goals of the conflict should be, and how America could undermine the Soviet Union.