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Two Koreas
In August of 1945 after WWII the Korean peninsula split into two parts, North Korea being communist and South Korea being anti-communist divided by the 38th parallel. Russia controls North Korea and USA controls South Korea. -
Harry Truman
USA President Harry Truman gives a speech and says that the U.S. will help any country that is threatened by communism. The speech is called the Truman Doctrine. -
North Korea Invades South Korea
Russia gave permission for North Korea to invade South Korea. North Korea continues to the capital Seuol. South Korea's army isn't strong enough to stop them. -
Summer of Terror
Worried that South Koreans will join the communists, President Syngman Rhee starts the Summer of Terror and orders over 100,000 people killed. -
The United States
The U.S. sends troops to Korea. The U.S. and other countries in the United Nations joined the war because they wanted to stop communism from spreading to South Korea. -
United States Defeated at Osan
American troops fight North Korean troops in Osan. The Americans expected an easy victory, but are surprised to find out that they are no match for the North Korean army. -
The United States gets a victory
The U.S. had an invasion into South Korea at the city of Inchon. From there, the United Nations troops go to Seoul and took it back from North Korea. -
*China Joins
*China joins the war to aid North Korea. China's army wins serval important battles and pushes the U.S. and South Korea back across the 38th parallel. -
The U.S. Closing In
U.S. Troops push their way to the capital of North Korea. Soldiers assume the war will be over soon. -
"Home By Christmas"
General MacArthur orders the U.N. forces to move to the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and northwest China. General MacArthur said the U.N. troops would be home by Christmas but were attack by 180,000 Chinese soldiers and had to retreat. -
*Peace Talk Begins
*With neither side gaining ground, peace talks begin. However, it takes two years to come to an agreement as the war drags on. -
Battle of the Punchbowl
American and French soldiers fight North Korean and Chinese troops in a part of South Korea known as the Punchbowl. The U.S. and France win the battle. Over 25,000 Chinese and North Korean soldiers died. -
North Korea and South Korea, Truce
North Korea and South Korea sign an agreement to stop fighting. Korea is still divided, but the two countries agree to create a neutral zone called the Demilitarized Zone to separate the countries. -
*Failed Geneva Conference
*Representatives from the United States and China meet in Geneva to talk about uniting Korea. However, the countries cannot come to an agreement and Korea remains divided.
