Syngman Rhee: American Exceptionalism and the Division of Korea Studies In

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Syngman Rhee played a significant role in the division of Korea during the mid-20th century. As the first president of South Korea, Rhee's policies were heavily influenced by his belief in American exceptionalism. This article delves into the life and political career of Rhee, examining how his interactions with the United States shaped the division of Korea and its long-lasting implications.

Background and Early Life:

Syngman Rhee was born on March 1875 in Hwanghae Province in what is now North Korea. He obtained his education in the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. These educational experiences would greatly contribute to his admiration for the American political system and its values.

Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea (Studies in Conflict, Diplomacy, and Peace)

by David P. Fields(Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Rhee's Political Career:

After completing his education in the United States, Rhee returned to Korea and became actively involved in politics. He founded the Korean National Association, which aimed to promote Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule. Rhee's passion for his homeland's freedom and his Western-inspired political ideologies set the stage for his future role in shaping Korea's destiny.

During World War II, Rhee spent his time advocating for Korean independence on the international stage. He gained recognition as the leader of the Korean independence movement and established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in China. Rhee hoped that the United States would support his vision of a unified and independent Korea.

American Exceptionalism and Its Influence on Rhee:

Rhee's time in the United States shaped his political ideologies in significant ways. He admired the democratic principles and systems of governance he observed, believing that such ideals could be implemented in Korea. Rhee's deep admiration for the United States and his belief in American exceptionalism influenced his vision for a democratic, capitalist South Korea that would serve as a stark contrast to communist North Korea.

The Division of Korea:

Following Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, the division of Korea became a contentious issue. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as dominant global powers, each seeking to exert influence over different regions. This resulted in the division of Korea along the 38th parallel, with the United States governing the southern part and the Soviet Union controlling the northern part.

Rhee, driven by his American-inspired vision, fully embraced the support of the United States. He saw himself as a defender of democracy against the encroaching communist threat from the North. Rhee's desire to reunite Korea under a single government aligned with American interests in containing the spread of communism, further strengthening the bond between Rhee and the United States.

The Korean War:

In 1950, tensions between North and South Korea escalated, leading to the outbreak of the Korean War. This conflict would prove to be a turning point in Rhee's presidency and the division of Korea itself. The United States supported South Korea militarily, while the Soviet Union and China supported the North.

The war resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, reinforcing the division between the two Koreas. While Rhee's forces initially pushed northward with the hope of reunification, they were eventually pushed back by the communist forces. The war ended in a stalemate, with Korea remaining divided as it is today.

Legacy and Continuing Division:

Rhee's presidency ended in 1960, after a wave of student-led protests calling for democratic reforms. Despite his strong belief in American exceptionalism, Rhee's authoritarian rule and suppression of political opposition led to growing disillusionment among the South Korean population.

The division of Korea remains one of the prevailing legacies of Rhee's political career. The ideological differences between North and South Korea, bolstered by external powers' conflicting interests, continue to shape geopolitics in the region. Rhee's commitment to American exceptionalism and democracy ultimately contributed to the endurance of this division, as South Korea aligned itself with the United States and embraced capitalism while North Korea pursued communism and closer ties with China and the Soviet Union.

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Syngman Rhee's political career was intertwined with American exceptionalism and the division of Korea. His admiration for the United States and its democratic principles influenced his vision for a united and democratic Korea. However, the complex geopolitical dynamics of the time, driven by the interests of global powers, resulted in the division that still exists today. Understanding Rhee's role and the influence of American exceptionalism provides crucial insights into the complexities of Korean history and the enduring challenges faced by the Korean people.

Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea (Studies in Conflict, Diplomacy, and Peace)

by David P. Fields(Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5640 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	260 pages

FREE

The division of Korea in August 1945 was one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of the twentieth century. Despite the enormous impact this split has had on international relations from the Cold War to the present, comparatively little has been done to explain the decision. In Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea, author David P. Fields argues that the division resulted not from a snap decision made by US military officers at the end of World War II but from a forty-year lobbying campaign spearheaded by Korean nationalist Syngman Rhee.

Educated in an American missionary school in Seoul, Rhee understood the importance of exceptionalism in American society. Alleging that the US turned its back on the most rapidly Christianizing nation in the world when it acquiesced to Japan's annexation of Korea in 1905, Rhee constructed a coalition of American supporters to pressure policymakers to right these historical wrongs by supporting Korea's independence. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Rhee and his Korean supporters reasoned that the American abandonment of Korea had given the Japanese a foothold in Asia, tarnishing the US claim to leadership in the opinion of millions of Asians.

By transforming Korea into a moralist tale of the failures of American foreign policy in Asia, Rhee and his camp turned the country into a test case of American exceptionalism in the postwar era. Division was not the outcome they sought, but their lobbying was a crucial yet overlooked piece that contributed to this final resolution. Through its systematic use of the personal papers and diary of Syngman Rhee, as well as its serious examination of American exceptionalism, Foreign Friends synthesizes religious, intellectual, and diplomatic history to offer a new interpretation of US-Korean relations.