The Korean War refers to a military conflict between the governments of North Korea (officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea).At the end of WWII, Korea was divided along the 38th Parallel into Soviet controlled North Korea and American controlled South Korea.Conflict arose from attempts by the two governments of Korea to reunite the country under their respective governments.Border tensions along the 38th Parallel led to the invasion by North Korea of South Korea on June 25, 1950.Under a United Nations agreement, countries allied with the United States intervened on behalf of South Korea.When North Korea was pushed back to the Chinese border, China entered the conflict escalating the conflict to a war. The war ended with the signing of an armistice in July 1953 that restored the original boundaries between North and South Korea. With rationing still fresh in the minds of many, sales of sugar, tires, appliances and fabric goods increased dramatically after war was declared in June 1950.Merchants in Reedsburg reported a 50 to 300 percent increase in sales from previous averages. After about a month, however, all fears subsided and most people went back to their previous buying patterns.
Women in the War
Many of the women who had served in the military during WWII, reenlisted to serve again during the Korean War.Since women were still banned from combat, a majority of women provided healthcare and administrative duties to the military.Women also served as electronic technicians, radio operators and cryptographers freeing male soldiers for combat.
