The Korean War 1950-1953 was the first proxy conflict of the Cold War costing 5 million lives, 54,000 of which were American soldiers, yet it has often been described as America's, "forgotten war." Thus, eluding to the idea that it was not as significant to world affairs or security as other conflicts during the Cold War such as in Vietnam. However, the Korean conflict was particularly central to American policy and indeed world security as it outlined the American policy of containment from NSC 68, and demonstrated that America, to quote President Truman that America was committed to, "the cause for a just and peaceful world order through the United Nations." This essay shall evaluate how significant the American government perceived the Korean War to be to global security by analysing key documents from the early war period such as daily summaries in addition to key speeches and NSC 68 and 48/2.Also, differing historians interpretations shall be included to create a coherent and all inclusive answer to the significance of the conflict in the U.S. .
NSC 68 was a report to President Truman in 1950 on the 'World Crisis' and how best to approach the rapid growth of Communism as a serious threat global to security. Although it was not specifically created to refer illicitly to the Korean War alone, NSC 68 highlights the potential for growth of revolutionary and Communist ideas in Asia as they would be popular amongst what American policy makers would consider a, "particularly receptive audience." NSC 68 (and NSC 48) policies would be put to the test first in Korea as they fitted the outline of a nation, "in their deepest peril," subjected to threat of the Soviet Union achieve[ing] its fundamental design." Furthermore, by acting in Korea this would be the first steps to establishing the critically important network of allied states (such as Japan and South Korea) that would sit alongside a rejuvenated Western Europe as a bulwark against Soviet expansion.