Reading time:

1–2 minutes
StalinStalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (18 December 1878 – 5 March 1953) was a Soviet politician, dictator and revolutionary who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. Read More and Mao

The outbreak of war in the Korean peninsula in 1950 was preceded by half a decade of careful consideration by Stalin and an desire by Mao to take on the capitalist world. Prior to this, Korea had been an afterthought for the Soviet dictator, who was more interested in affairs in Europe. Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the S

Get the weekly analysis

One piece every week connecting current events to their historical roots — free, every Tuesday.

Subscribe free →

Paid tier also available — deeper dives, full archive, essay guides.

If this was useful, there’s more where it came from.

Every week I publish one piece connecting a current event to its historical roots — free, every Tuesday. Paid subscribers get two additional deeper dives and full archive access.

Subscribe to Explaining History →

Discover more from Explaining History Podcast

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading