Outbreak of the Korean War
I can explain the causes and development of the Korean War.
Outbreak of the Korean War
I can explain the causes and development of the Korean War.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- North Korea was communist and South Korea was capitalist.
- North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950.
- American-led UN forces intervened to defend South Korea.
- UN forces crossed the 38th parallel and entered into North Korea.
- The UN campaign in North Korea triggered China's entry into the war.
Keywords
Reunification - process in which a country that was divided is joined together again as one country
Domino Theory - belief that if one country became communist, others near it would more easily become communist too
Escalate - to become or make something become greater or more serious
Stalemate - a situation in which neither group involved in a conflict can win or get an advantage
Common misconception
China and the USSR fought alongside North Korea from the beginning of the Korean War.
China and the USSR supported the North Korean invasion but did not participate. China only joined the war at a later stage.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Outbreak of the Korean War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Outbreak of the Korean War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Cold War development: how did the Cold War develop in Asia? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
PRC
USSR
USA