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The National Archives, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street

What’s the context? 25 June 1950: outbreak of the Korean War

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence and conflict, Foreign affairs and diplomacy, Foreign Office Historians, What's the context? series
Ernest Bevin an elderly Prime Minister posing for a picture in front of a book case

The outbreak of the Korean War on 25 June 1950 caught Western governments by surprise, despite warning signs. Western strategists had assumed that North Korea was a Soviet puppet, and that no one wanted a war.

Forward or backward looking? The Treaty of Versailles

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Defence and conflict, First World War, Foreign affairs and diplomacy, Foreign Office Historians
Cartoon: At the Peace Table. Treaty of Versailles. Clemenceau says, "Take your seats, gentlemen!" The food and chairs look dangerous, and there are handcuffs on the table, worried and suspicious German delegates.

German anger at the Treaty of Versailles between the wars is well known. Hitler, in his rise to power, exploited this deep resentment. So how did such a contentious document come into existence and why was it signed?

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History of government

This blog gives insights into the history of government – its development, its departments and some of the roles and people involved. Find out more.

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