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Soviets Invade Manchuria
The Soviet Union declared war against Japan within three months of the end of the war in Europe. With the Japanese surrender near, the Americans doubted whether the Soviets would honor their part of the Joint Commission. They made their way in to create the 38th parallel. -
38th Parallel Created
After WWII the Korean peninsula was divided along the 38th latitude line with communist Soviet-backed North Korea and the anti-communist Republic of South Korea. Originally, this was just the place where the Soviets met the US in Korea, keeping each other separated, only meant for that purpose, but became the border of the split peninsula. -
Korean War Starts
On June 25th 1950 after months of planning and support form the Soviet Union North Korea invaded South Korea. Upon crossing the 38th Parallel, fighting began. South Korea and its ally the U.S. were caught off guard. The North's Army pressed on hard headed down west determined to take the port of Pusan. -
UN Intervenes
The Korean War lasted 1950 to 1953 was the most severe test the United Nations had to face since its start in 1945. As part of the whole Cold War scenario, the Korean War was a complicated issue with which the United Nations had to successfully handle or be have them lose their credibility. -
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
A Battle between the United Nations and North Korea. UN forces, that had been repeatedly beaten by the advancing North Korean People's Army, were forced back to the "Pusan Perimeter", a 140-mile (230 km) defensive line. They fought off Korean attacks for 6 weeks. -
U.S. Intervenes
The US intervened with North and South Korea's dispute in order to prevent any more destruction from occurring. They were also trying to benefit themselves economically, geographically, and politically. -
MacArthur Takes Inchon
U.S. Marines landed at western port of Inchon, near Seoul, ready to retake the capital, Seoul, and cut the North Korean supply lines. -
Seoul Returned to South Korean Government
On the same mission as the capture of Inchon, the United States Marines, after days of hard fighting with mild casualties captured and returned Seoul to the South Korean government. -
China Intervenes
Chinese leaders debated whether to send Chinese troops into Korea. It was highly considered to resist sending troops in by many leaders. After secretly crossing the Yalu River, the Army Group launched the First Phase Offensive on 25 October, attacking the U.N. forces -
Capture of Pyongyang
After capturing Inchon and Seoul the US troops travel into North Korea and capture the temporary capital of North Korea, Pyonyang. Because of this, the North Korean forces were falling apart, and the South Korean forces were able to capture 135,000 prisoners. -
Yalu River Invasion
General MacArthur, who led the UN troops, pushed the Communist troops all the way back to where China met North Korea, and up to the Yalu River. The American government wanted MacArthur to stop there, but the General wanted to continue into China. Eventually, Chinese troops hit the UN's and forced them to retreat. -
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Started on November 27, 1950, The Battle of Chosin lasted ten days. General Ned Almond's army of 30,000 held until retreat of the 120,000 Chinese troops. This was the first major Chinese victory and represented the start of the anti-UN gaining the upper hand. -
Stalemate
The land battle was in a stalemate. Both sides agreed to talk and went into negotiations -
Fighting Ends
The war was over in 1953 when fighting ceased. No agreement was met. Even through the fighting ended, conflicts still occur between the North and South of Korea. -
Prisoner Release
At this time thousands of prisoners from both sides of the war were released.
