Geography Study Materials and Hand-outs

The Korean War was a conflict that took place from 1950 to 1953 on the Korean Peninsula. It was a significant event in the Cold War and had far-reaching implications for the region and the world. Here is an overview of the Korean War: 1. Background: Korea had been under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, but after World War II, the peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel into two occupation zones, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the United States occupying the south. Attempts to establish a unified Korean government failed, leading to the establishment of separate governments in the North (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or North Korea) and the South (Republic of Korea, or South Korea). 2. Outbreak of War: The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces, under the leadership of Kim Il-sung and with support from the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. The United Nations Security Council, with the absence of the Soviet Union

  World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations. It was the deadliest and most widespread war in history, resulting in profound political, social, and economic changes. Here is an overview of World War II: 1. Background: Treaty of Versailles: The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, contributed to economic instability and political grievances in Europe. Rise of Totalitarian Regimes: The 1930s saw the rise of fascist and militaristic regimes in Germany (under Adolf Hitler), Italy (under Benito Mussolini), and Japan. Expansionist Ambitions: These regimes sought territorial expansion and pursued aggressive foreign policies. 2. Key Events and Phases: 1939: Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. 1940-1941: Germany's Blitzkrieg tactics led to the fall of France, the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the Soviet Union. 1941-194

  The Spanish Civil War was a significant conflict that took place from 1936 to 1939 in Spain. It was a complex and deeply ideological struggle between various factions, leading to lasting consequences for the country. Here's an overview of the Spanish Civil War: 1. Background: Spain had experienced political instability and economic hardship in the decades leading up to the war. Deep-seated divisions existed between republicans, left-wing groups, nationalists, and right-wing factions. 2. Key Factions: Republicans: A coalition of left-wing groups, including socialists, communists, anarchists, and republicans, who sought political and social reform. Nationalists: Led by General Francisco Franco, this faction consisted of conservative forces, including monarchists, Falangists (fascists), and traditionalists, who aimed to establish a right-wing authoritarian regime. 3. Outbreak of War: The conflict began with a military uprising against the elected Republican government on July 17,