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dividing korea
during world war II korea was occupied by japan. after the war the Allies and the Soviet Union agreed to divide Korea into two parts. the north became communist, while the south remained anti-communist. it was divided at the 38th parallel. this was about the halfway point. this was supposed to be a temporary solution. -
Period: to
korean war
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Korean citizens
Koreans on both sides of the 38th parallel wanted to unify their nation. they didnt want to remain divided. -
occupied korea
after korea was divided, both north korea and south korea were occupied. the soviet union occupied the north and the United States occupied the south. they withdrew in 1948 and 1949. -
korean war
the korean war began in 1950. North korean troops went across the 38th paralle. their goal was to reunite korea by force. americans at the time belived, wrongly, that this was planned by the soviet union. president truman was determined to respond to this aggression, as he considerd it. they also feared it could lead to a third world war, like had happened in world war two. -
the united nations
the united nations' members agreed that north korea was an agressor. they also unanimously agreed that the united states could act in south korea's defense. they asked that peace be restored. -
south korean defense
president truman orderd that taiwan be protected. Taiwan was an island south of korea. American air and navel defenses were also sent to south korea. -
general douglas MacAurther
MacAurther was choosen to lead the UN forces in korea. before this he had been responsible for establishing western democracy there and for establishing japan's new democratic constitution. -
MacAurthur's plan
He belived that North korea's rapid advance had left it supply lines stretched thin. He sent forces to protect the city of Pusan, the only area not overrun by the enemy. he than landed sooldiers at Inchon in northwestern south korea. he wanted to stike the enemy from behind their supply lines. -
continued fighting
his strategy began to work. not only had the pushed the enemy past the 38th parallel, but the army was able to push them towards china's border. around this time china got involved. although by the end of november it looked like north korea had lost. -
turning point
china launched a huge offensive to defend north korea. china had warned of an attack but MacAurthor ignored the warnings.nearly 180,000 chinese troops attacked. they pushed the troops back accross the 38th parallel. -
stalemate in korea
although the united nation's forces were able to capture the capital of Saul (again), neither side made any significant advances. a stalemate was reached. -
disputes during the war
presidant truman and general MacArthur did not agree on how to continue the war. the general wanted to open a second front. he wanted to directly attack the chinese communists. truman did not agree with this, he didnt want a larger war to breakout. in march a letter by MacArthur to joseph martin, the house minority leader, became public. in it he critizised the president and his policies. -
MacAurthur is fired
truman fires his general after many disputed over how to continue the war. truman fired him for insubordination. many still saw him as a hero for all the things he had accomplished. -
united nations' continued support
eventually 16 member nations from the united nations would help the united states by providing troops or arms. however the U.S. made about 80 percent of the troops. -
war ends
finally a truce was signed in 1953. it divided the two countries near the 38th parallel. this is almost the same place that it was divided before the war. it ended during eisenhower's presidancy. over 150,000 american soldiers were killed or wounded.
