H. Douglas Barclay
Bio
H. Douglas Barclay is a former long-time New York State Senator and served as the United States Ambassador to El Salvador. He began his military career through ROTC while studying at Yale University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served in Korea directly after the war from 1955 to 1957. His interview provides rich insights into the history and politics of Korea and beyond. Barclay discusses the American public’s perception of Korea as he remembers it and emphasizes the progress that South Korea has made, describing it as a “miracle.”
Video Clips
Public Opinion
H. Douglas Barclay discusses how the American public perception of Korea sharply contrasted with that of Vietnam. In Korea, the atmosphere was positive; the country was thriving and grateful to have the war behind them. The general sentiment among the people was optimistic. He emphasizes that there was a shared understanding of the mission: stopping Communism, which everyone agreed was important.
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Successful Korean Capitalism
H. Douglas Barclay discusses how the war contributed to the emergence of capitalism in South Korea, leading to a successful economy. He explains that the principles applied in South Korea facilitated the effectiveness of their economic system. He argues that the capitalist system has proven to be beneficial for improving the quality of life.
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The Korean War in School Curricula
H. Douglas Barclay emphasizes the importance of education regarding the significant impacts of military operations. He believes that information about the Korean War and subsequent U.S. conflicts should be included in school curricula. He argues that the Korean War is as significant as other wars that have been fought.
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South Korean Miracle
H. Douglas Barclay argues that Korea has played a significant role in the history of the United States. He describes contemporary South Korea as a "miracle." Reflecting on his experience taking a bus through modern South Korea, he observed its remarkable development in comparison to North Korea, which, according to him, mirrored South Korea's condition in 1955.
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