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Korea had been ruled by Japan until 1945
At the end of the Second World War the Northern half was liberated by Soviet troops and the southern half by Americans. When the war ended, the North half remained communist-controlled -
There was hostilely between North Korea and South Korea
The South was Anti-Communist. It was not very democracy, but the fact that it was anti-communist was enough to win it the support of the USA. There was bitter hostility between the North's Communist leader, Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea -
North Korea troops invaded the South
By September 1950 all except a small corner of south-east Korea was under communist control. -
President Truman sends soldiers to the waters around Korea
President Truman immediately sent advisors, supplies and warships to the water around Korea. At the same time, he put enormous pressure on the UN Security Council to condemn the action of the North Koreans and to call with them to withdraw their troops. -
General MacArthur writing to president Truman
United Nations forces stormed ashore at Inchon in September 1950 . At the same time, other UN forces and South Korean troops advanced from Pusan. The North Koreans were driven back beyond their original border within weeks. -
China warns America!
MacArthur had achieved the original UN objectives of removing North Korean troops from South Korea. But the Americans did not stop. Despite warnings from China's leader, Mao Tse-tung, that pressing on would mean China's joining the war. -
The US forces reaches the Chinese border
By October, US forces had reached the Yalu river on the border with China -
The United Nations forces were pushed back to South Korea
Late in October 1950, 200,000 Chinese troops (calling themselves 'People's Volunteers') join the North Koreans. They launched a blistering attack. They had soldiers who were strongly committed to communism and had been taught by their leader to hate Americans. They had Modern tanks and planes supplied by the Soviet Union. -
Truman fires MacArthur and send him back home
In April Truman removed Mac Arthur from his position as commander and brought him back home -
Peace talks between the two enemies
Peace talks between North and South Korea begun in June 1951, but bitter fighting continued until 1952 when Truman was replaced by president Eisenhower who wanted to end the war. -
Finally
An armistice was finally signed
