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38th Parallel
Soon after WW2 had ended the US had cut back its forces in South Korea. North Korea concluded the US wouldn't fight back for South Korea so they began to back North Korea and head for 38th parallel -
North Korea Attacks South Korea
North Korean forces had pushed up and through 38th parallel in what was a surprise attack. The conflict that followed is called the Korean War -
MacArthur's Counterattack
MacArthur's troops infiltrated behind enemy lines on Korea's west coast. Sandwhiching North Korean troops about halfof them surrendered the others fled to 38th parallel. His plan had saved his army from almost certain defeat -
China Fights Back
China's communist foreign minister, Zhou En-Lai, warned his country that they would not stand and idle by "Americans coming to the border". The Chinese wanted North Korea as a communist state to protect their northeastern provinces. Chinese forces helped drive the NK forces south of 38th parallel -
MacArthur Recommends Attack on China
MacArthur called for nuclear forces on Chinese cities but Truman rejected. However attacking China would set WW3. So instead the US sent an 8th army to back South Korea and push back to 38th parallel -
MacArthur vs. Truman
MacArthur was not satisfied with the recapture of South Korea and wanted full scale war with China. MacArthur began criticizing Truman. On April 11, 1951 Truman had fired MacArthur. Many Americans were outraged -
Settling for Stalemate
The Soviet Union had cease-fire on June 23, 1951. Truce talks began in July and this marked the end of the Korean War. North Korean invaders had been pushed back, and communism had been contained. However Korea was still 2 nations rather than 1
