William Stueck presents a fresh analysis of the Korean War's major diplomatic and strategic issues. Drawing on a cache of newly available information from archives in the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, he provides an interpretive synthesis for scholars and general readers alike. Beginning with the decision to divide Korea in 1945, he analyzes first the origins and then the course of the conflict. He takes into account the balance between the international and internal factors that led to the war and examines the difficulty in containing and eventually ending the fighting. This discussion covers the progression toward Chinese intervention as well as factors that both prolonged the war and prevented it from expanding beyond Korea. Stueck goes on to address the impact of the war on Korean-American relations and evaluates the performance and durability of an American political culture confronting a challenge from authoritarianism abroad.

The coming of the Cold War to Korea -- Syngman Rhee, the Truman Doctrine, and American Policy toward Korea, 1947-1948 -- Why the Korean War, not the Korean Civil War? -- The road to Chinese intervention, July-November 1950 -- Why the war did not expand beyond Korea, November 1950-July 1951 -- Negotiating an Armistice, July 1951-July 1953: Why did it take so long? -- The Korean War and the American relationship with Korea -- The Korean War as a challenge to American democracy.