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Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea Studies

Colin Foster

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Published in Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee American Exceptionalism And The Division Of Korea (Studies In Conflict Diplomacy And Peace)

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Abstract

This book examines the role of Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea, in the division of Korea studies. Rhee was a staunch anti-communist who believed that the United States was the only country that could save South Korea from communism. This belief led him to align South Korea with the United States and to reject any attempts at reunification with North Korea. The book argues that Rhee's American exceptionalism contributed to the division of Korea studies, as it prevented scholars from taking a more balanced approach to the study of Korea.

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

by David P. Fields

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

Syngman Rhee was a complex and controversial figure. He was a nationalist who fought for Korea's independence from Japan, but he was also a dictator who ruled South Korea with an iron fist. He was a staunch anti-communist who believed that the United States was the only country that could save South Korea from communism, but he was also a pragmatist who was willing to work with the United States even when he disagreed with its policies.

Rhee's American exceptionalism had a profound impact on Korea studies. He believed that the United States was a unique country that was destined to lead the world. This belief led him to reject any attempts at reunification with North Korea, as he believed that North Korea was a communist dictatorship that was incompatible with the values of the United States. Rhee's American exceptionalism also led him to suppress any scholarship that challenged the United States' role in Korea.

The Division of Korea Studies

The division of Korea studies began in the early 1950s, when the Cold War divided the world into two blocs. The United States and its allies supported South Korea, while the Soviet Union and its allies supported North Korea. This division led to a corresponding division in Korea studies, as scholars in the United States and South Korea focused on the study of South Korea, while scholars in the Soviet Union and North Korea focused on the study of North Korea.

The division of Korea studies was exacerbated by Rhee's American exceptionalism. Rhee's belief that the United States was a unique country led him to reject any attempts at reunification with North Korea, as he believed that North Korea was a communist dictatorship that was incompatible with the values of the United States. Rhee's American exceptionalism also led him to suppress any scholarship that challenged the United States' role in Korea.

The Legacy of Syngman Rhee

Syngman Rhee's legacy is complex and controversial. He was a nationalist who fought for Korea's independence from Japan, but he was also a dictator who ruled South Korea with an iron fist. He was a staunch anti-communist who believed that the United States was the only country that could save South Korea from communism, but he was also a pragmatist who was willing to work with the United States even when he disagreed with its policies.

Syngman Rhee was a complex and controversial figure. His American exceptionalism had a profound impact on Korea studies, as it led to the division of Korea studies and the suppression of scholarship that challenged the United States' role in Korea. Rhee's legacy is still debated today, as scholars continue to grapple with the impact of his American exceptionalism on Korea studies.

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

by David P. Fields

4.5 out of 5