Explain in 3-5 sentences the causes and impacts of the proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam

1 answer

The proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam were fueled by the global competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In both cases, the superpowers supported opposing factions in order to advance their own political and economic interests. The Korean War, for example, was a result of the division of Korea after World War II and the desire of the US and USSR to expand their spheres of influence. The Vietnam War, on the other hand, was a product of the nationalist struggle against French colonial rule and later the intervention of the US to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. These proxy wars had devastating impacts on the local populations, resulting in widespread destruction, loss of life, and long-term political instability in both countries.