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Before 1941 the U.S. had no vital interests in Korea. -
After Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisors eventually acknowledged the importance of the strategic peninsula for peace in Asia. This advocated a Postwar trusteeship in hopes to gain Korea's Independence. -
In 1943, Roosevelt had met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek as they signed the "Cairo declaration" which stated that allies “are determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent.” -
In 1945 Harry Truman had become president after Roosevelt's death. Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe was alarming the US leaders, Truman suspected an atomic attack on japan. -
On August 8, 1945 Stanlin declared war on Japan which resulted in sending the red army into Korea. Stanlins acceptance of Trumans "11th hour proposal" to divide the peninsula into soviet and American zones of military at the 38th parallel saved Korea from "unification" under communist rule. -
On September 8, 1945 the U.S. began occupation on South Korea. Due to almost all Koreans wanting immediate independence, XXIV corps under General John R. Hodge would make trouble trying to maintain. -
On June 25, 1950 the army of the Korean people (KPA) launched its military offensive to conquer South Korea.