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Troops were withdrawn
In 1949 the United States and the Soviet Union withdrew most of their troops from Korea. In attempt to take over the Peninsula, the Soviet union supplied North Korea with tanks, airplanes, and money. -
Surprise attack on South Korea
June 25, 1950 North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea. President Truman believed that the North Korean aggressors were repeating the actions of Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese in the 1930s. -
North Korea controls Peninsula
September 1950 the North Koreans had advanced and controlled almost all of the Korean Peninsula. Douglas MacArthur planned a surprise attack causing half of the North Koreans to surrender and the others to retreat. -
Troops sent to North Korea
In October of 1950 Chinese forces sent 300,000 troops to North Korea. The Chinese forces were stronger than the UN, pushing them and South Korea out of North Korea. -
Nuclear Attack
Douglas MacArthur declared a nuclear attack on China in January of 1951. President Truman did not agree with his decision stating that "We are trying to prevent a world war, not start one." -
Regaining South Korea
In 1952 the UN troops fought to push the Chinese and North Koreans back. The UN forces finally regained control of South Korea. -
Cease-fire agreement
In July of 1953 the UN and North Korea signed a cease-fire agreement. By the end of the war, 4 million soldiers and civilians had died. -
After war
After the war Korea remained divided. In the 1960's South Korea began to focus on expanding foreign trade. In North Korea, the established collective farms and built up their military. -
After war
South Korea developed after having many dictators and eventually adopted a democratic constitution and established free elections. -
Economic Growth
In the 1990's South Korea had the highest economic growth rate in the world.