Timeline: The Korean War

Period: Feb 5, 1949 to Jun 5, 1950

historical interpretations of the Korean War

from 1949 until june 1950, the Soviet union transferred to north Korea 10 reconnaissance aircraft, 100 Yak fighters, 70 bombers, 100 T-34 tanks and various other heavy artillery pieces while the South Korea's total troop strength at this time numbered only 65000, with 4000 maritime police and a 45000 man police force, all with very limited supplies --> highlights the difference between the North Korean ans South Korean military strength at the start of the war
Responsibility

Sep 5, 1949

Soviet successful testing of Atomic Bomb

fall of China and Soviet successful development of Atomic Bomb can be used to show how the Cold War calculations were important in Stalin's decision to apporve Kim's request to invade South Korea

Oct 5, 1949

The Fall of China

Jan 5, 1950

Truman authorised the development of the hydrogen bomb

the US saw a need for a more powerful nuclear deterrent to protect Western Europe from invasion

Jan 12, 1950

Dean Acheson's defense perimeter sppech

omitted South Korea from a list of countries which the US would automatically defend in the event of aggression
--> could have influenced Stalin --> did not agree until Jan 1950

Feb 5, 1950

Stalin cautiously agreed to Kim's invasion plan

Feb 5, 1950

Sino-Soviet Treaty

Feb 5, 1950

Stalin broke his promise to Mao to provide air cover and military supplies for the advancing Chinese armies

limited conflict

Jun 5, 1950

Outbreak of the Korean War

Feb 5, 1951

Operation Killer

Mar 5, 1951

Operation Ripper

Jul 5, 1951

peace talks began but dragged on for 2 years

Stalin was influencing negotiations from afar and urging Mao and Kim to extract further concessions from the US in return for an end to the war (RESPONSIBILITY)
the issue of repatriation of POW -- the North Koreans and Chinese rejected the principle that POW should not be returned to their native countries against their will

Mar 5, 1953