The Cold War experienced its first armed clash in the Korean War, resulting in the United States gaining a new understanding of the importance of Asia in the growing global conflict between communism and democracy. Through thoughtful narrative supported by fully documented quotes, this title begins with A Brief History of the Korean War and then examines these questions: How Did Post-World War II Tensions Set the Stage for the Korean War? How Did the Korean War Advance the Desegregation of the US Military? How Did American Foreign Policy Change in the Aftermath of the Korean War? How Did the Lack of a Clear-cut Victory Shape the Two Koreas?