Which of the following events accurately reflects a significant cause of U.S. military involvement in Korea in 1950?

The establishment of Communist rule in China in 1949 was a significant factor influencing U.S. military involvement in Korea in 1950. This shift contributed to fears of the spread of communism in Asia, particularly in the context of the Cold War. U.S. policymakers were concerned that the successful establishment of a communist regime in China could embolden communist movements in neighboring countries, including Korea.

In this climate of heightened tension, when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea in June 1950, the U.S. viewed this aggression as a direct threat not only to South Korea but also to broader regional stability and the potential spread of communism across Asia. Thus, the events following the rise of communism in China directly laid the foundation for U.S. intervention in the Korean War, depicting the interconnectedness of Cold War dynamics and the geopolitical realities of the time.