Final answer:
The Korean War was a conflict between North and South Korea from 1950-1953, initiated by a North Korean invasion. The United States and United Nations backed South Korea, while the Soviet Union supported North Korea. It ended in stalemate with a divided Korea and no territorial gains for either side.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conflict known as the Korean War was an armed confrontation between North and South Korea, which occurred from June 1950 to July 1953. It began when North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet Union, crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. This invasion was an attempt by North Korea's communist leader Kim Il-sung to reunify the Korean Peninsula under communist rule. The United States, under the United Nations command, came to the aid of South Korea and fought alongside its forces.
Throughout the war, major cities and civilian populations suffered greatly, with millions of lives lost and widespread destruction. By July 1951, UN forces regained lost ground and pushed the communist forces back to the 38th parallel, where peace talks eventually began. The conflict reached a stalemate with the signing of an armistice in 1953, leading to the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) near the original dividing line. The war resulted in no significant territorial changes and Korea remains divided into North and South to this day.
The Korean War was part of the larger Cold War context, as it was a proxy war where the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in indirect conflict. It highlights the tensions and hostilities between communist and nationalist forces during this era, as well as the broader US-Soviet geopolitical struggle.