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Japan Annexes Korea
Japan claims Korea as its colony. Korea is then used for Japan for agricultural and industrial purposes -
Period: to
The Events that Lead to the Start of the Korean War
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Allied Leaders Meeting
Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchhill meet in Germany, where Staling agrees for the "eventual independance" for Korea. -
Russian arrive in North Korea
During the final days of World War II, Russian troops begin moving into northern Korea. There are not yet any American troops on the peninsula. -
Korea is divided
Following the end of World War II, Korea is divided at the 38th parallel into American and Russian occupational territories. (south for America and North for Korea). -
Japanese surrenders south Korea to US
American forces finally reach Seoul, where they accept the Japanese surrender of south Korea. -
Iron Curtain Speech
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives his famous speech at a college about the western democratic and eastern communism divide that has spead across the globe. -
Truman Doctrine
Truman pledges American assistance to any nation in the world threatened by Communism. this officially establishes the worldwide containment of Communism as America's top international priority. -
Rhee wins elections; Soviet Union withdrawls troops in North Korea.
UN appoints democratic elections throughout Korea, and does not recognize North Korea to hold its own elections. Syngman Rhee is elected as South Korea's president, establishing the Republic of Korea. Soviet Union withdrawls troops in North Korea. -
Rhee declares sovereignty over Korean Peninsula
this act denys the legitimacy of North Korea, as Rhee declares that the South has control over all of Korea. -
Truman desegregates the military
Truman says, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." -
Kim II Sung declares sovereignty over Korean Penninsula
this act denies the legitamacy of South Korea, and totally ignores Rhee's statement made earlier. -
US withdrawls troops from South Korea
US leaves 500 American military advisors in the Republic. Guerilla warefare between the NOrth and South along the 38th parallel begins. -
Dean Acheson Delares Defensive Perimeter
Dean states in a speech that the United States will fight to defend all territory within its "defensive perimeter,." This includes Japan, the Philippines, and NOT Korea. Stalin misinterprets this speech to mean that he can approve of Kim II Sung's plan to invade the souht, because the US will not be getting involved. -
Stalin Approves Korean Invasion
Kim Il Sung goes to Moscow to ask Stalin if he can invade South Korea and begin the Korean War. Stalin gives him the green light because he believes the United States will not get involved. -
North Korea crosses the parallel.
North Korean communist armies cross the 38th parallel, staring the war. -
UN issues cease-fire
UN issues a cease-fire, which the communist countries ignore. -
"Summer of Terror"
In response to North Korea's invasion, Rhee orders his military to eliminate the threat posed to his regime of people whom he fears will join forces with the Communist. Rhee's forces will execute more than 100,000 people. -
Truman Meets at Blair House
Truman consults officials in the State and Defense departments, and decides to offer military aid to South Korea without seeking an official declaration of war from Congress. -
UN authorizes military aid
UN makes its members send aid to South Korea. Truman complies immedietly. -
UN declares North Korea Agressor
the Security Council(being boycotted by the Soviet Union) passes an American-drafted resolution condemning North Korea as the aggressor. -
Truman makes statement to the public
Truman issues a statement announcing to the American public the decision made at Blair House:
"I have ordered United States air and sea forces to give the Korean Government troops cover and support." -
US crosses the 38th parallel
Republic of Korea and US forces cross the 38th parallel and begin offensive into North Korea.
