The Korean War Termination Experience, 1951-1953: Strategy and Policy Lessons Learned

Abstract

There is insufficient evidence to state definitively why the Chinese and North Koreans agreed to truce negotiations in the first place, why they prolonged the talks, and why they ultimately agreed to the Armistice. Such incomplete, circumstantial evidence makes varying theories possible. Regardless, there was cause for the United States to consider whether it had relied too much on violence and the threat of violence during negotiations. There was also cause to consider whether it should have invited greater input from U.N. coalition partners and whether it should have shown more patience toward the dismissive and disdainful demeanor of the Communist negotiators. There is also cause to consider whether it should have placed more emphasis on pressuring Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.