## Historical Contexts of National Separations into North and South: A Comprehensive Overview

National separations into northern and southern entities have been critical junctures in the histories of different countries. Primarily, these separations have often led to lasting geopolitical, cultural, and economic ramifications both locally and globally. In this exploration, we discuss two significant historical events—the division of the United States in 1862 during the American Civil War, and the division of Korea in 1945 following the end of World War II. Both events mark pivotal moments in the histories of their respective regions.

### Division of the United States, 1862

The division of the United States into the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South) is commonly anchored in the year 1861, rather than 1862, when the Southern states seceded from the Union. However, 1862 is a landmark year during the American Civil War because it was marked by significant battles and strategies that defined the contours of the war. The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was primarily precipitated by deep-seated divisions over slavery and states' rights.

#### Causes of the Division
The primary engine driving the division was the issue of slavery, particularly the expansion of slavery into the American West. Southern states depended heavily on an agrarian economy that was supported by slave labor, while the Northern states, which were more industrialized, were largely opposed to the expansion of slavery. 

#### Key Events in 1862
Key battles such as the Battle of Antietam, the second Battle of Bull Run, and the Siege of Fort Donelson took place in 1862. Moreover, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, declaring that all slaves in the rebellious states would be set free. This pivotal move not only redefined the nature of the Civil War but also marked a decisive moral positioning of the Union against the Confederacy.

### Division of Korea, 1945

Korea was divided into North Korea and South Korea at the end of World War II in 1945. The division was primarily influenced by the global tensions of the Cold War that ensued shortly after. 

#### Background
Before the division, Korea was a single, unified nation under Japanese rule from 1910 until 1945. Following Japan's defeat in World War II, the Korean Peninsula was liberated but also left vulnerable to external powers looking to fill the vacuum left by Japan.

#### Process of Division
The division occurred along the 38th parallel, a line that was originally intended as a temporary administrative division between the United States and the Soviet Union, who were responsible for the disarmament and administration of the Japanese forces in Korea. The northern part was occupied by Soviet forces, and the southern part by American forces.

#### Implications of the Division
The 38th parallel became a more permanent border after the failure of the United States and the Soviet Union to agree on the process for creating a unified Korean government. This eventually led to the establishment of two separate governments, each claiming to be the legitimate government of Korea: the communist North Korea and the capitalist South Korea. The division was cemented following the Korean War (1950-1953), which ended with an armistice but no formal peace treaty.

### Conclusion

The divisions of the United States in 1862 and Korea in 1945 are significant events that shaped the political landscapes of their times. In the United States, the conflict revolved around ideological differences regarding slavery and states' rights, leading to a bloody civil war. In Korea, the division was a result of geopolitical strategies by global superpowers in the aftermath of World War II, setting the stage for further conflict during the Cold War era. Both divisions highlight how historical, political, and moral factors interplay to shape national and international histories.