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The Creation of the Koreas
Japanese colony, Korea, was split at the 38th Parallel. North Korea was occupied by the Soviet Union. South Korea was occupied by the US. US forces eventually leave South Korea in September of 1947 after the election of Syngman Rhee. Kim Il Sung becomes the dictator of communist North Korea. Both Koreas deny the legitimacy of the other and claim sovereignty over the entire peninsula. -
North Korea Invades
North Korea invades South Korea, crossing the 38th Parallel, with the approval of the Soviet Union. The North Korean People's Army meets little resistance. -
Summer of Terror
In repsonse to the invasion, Rhee murdered all who opposed his reign and might join the Communist side, executing more than 100,000 people. -
Truman Sends Aid
Truman makes the decision to send military aid to South Korea. He did not go to Congress for a war declaration, using the UN resolution to justify his intervention. North Korea is condemned as the agressor in the conflict. -
North Korea Captures Seoul
North Korea captures the South Korean capital, Seoul. -
Battle at Osan
American troops go into battle against NKPA. Expecting an easy victory, American troops failed to stop North Korea's southward advance.They continued to push American forces back to Daejon and even further south to Pusan. More than 90% of Korea was under Communist control. -
Inchon Landing
General MacArthur launched an ambitious landing at Inchon. This took the NKPA by surprise. American troops cut off their supply lines, forcing them to retreat. Americans then recaptured Seoul, and regain all territory south of 38th Parallel. -
MacArthur Pushes Northward
Truman gives MacArthur the go ahead to continue into North Korea just as long as he doesn't encounter Soviet or Chinese opposition. They take the captial Pyongyang on October 20, and this convinces troops that vctory is imminent. -
China Enters the War
In response to MacArthur's push northward, China warned him to stay away from their border. He didn't heed their warnings. Fearful of aggressive action on their border, China readies a military force and crosses the Yalu River, entering the Korean War as North Korea's ally. This catches American leaders by surprise and leads to a series of crushing defeats, deteriorating American prospects of victory rapidly. -
Battle at Chosin Reservoir
Chinese troops surrounded a unit at Chosin Reservoir. Msny were killed or captued whilst defending their position. -
Stalemate at the 38th
After being driven into a desperate southward retreat, American troops creat a successful defensive line atthe 38th Parallel. This halts the Cinese advance. Neither side can make any headway. The UN calles for a negotiated end to this conflict. These peace talks drag on for nearly two years. More than 50% of those kileed will lose their lives after these talk begin. -
MacArthur Fired
After drawing China into the war, Truan fores macArthuer for his ambitious attempt at uniting Korea under a pro-Western government and his public threat to China and his call to a full-scale war. This spurred on a campaign that upheld the war hero. -
Eisenhower Elected
Eisenhower built his campaign around the promise of an honorable truce to the Korean War, as to allow American troops out of combat as soon as possible. -
Armistice
An armistice is signed to end the war, after two years of negotiations. Korea remains divided at the 38th Parallel. Talks for a formal peace treaty fail. To this day, no treaty has been signed.
