-
Korea Splits
Korea Splits into North Korea and South Korea, for when Japan was defeated, North Korea (ruled by the Soviet Union) wanted to take back control over all of Korea. -
Cold War
The cold war had started between the US and Soviet Union in 1947, and it became hard for them to help in the Korean War. -
Dean Acheson's Speech
US Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, made a speech to the National Press Club, where he states “so far as the military security of other areas in the Pacific is concerned, it must be clear that no person can guarantee these areas against military attack.” Where he wants to include the Philippines and Japan, but does not want to include Korea. -
National Security Report
A National Security Council report (known as NSC-68) had suggested that the US use military force to “contain” communist development anywhere it seemed to be happening disregarding the essential strategic or economic value of the lands. -
North Korea Invades South Korea
Around 75,000 soldiers cross the 38th parallel (It is a circle of latitude, which is 38 degrees north of the equatorial plane), -
US Military
The first US Marines join the battle and but then take on serious damage and retreat back to the city of Pusan. -
Seoul is taken over
Seoul, Korea was taken over by UN Forces and General MacArthur ordered his troops to continue along the 38th parallel. -
Capturing the Capital
90 miles west of the 38th parallel UN troops capture the North Korean Capital (Pyongyang) -
China's Power
China sets up a trap to ambush the UN Forces, and China warns them to stay away or there will be a fight. Chinese Forces (about 130,000 - 300,000 soldiers) decide to push the UN Forces southward to retreat. -
Frozen Chosin
In the crucial cold winter weather, the US Marines surrounded at the Chosin Reservoir, where about 20,000 troops participated in the battle known as the "Frozen Chosin." The Frozen Chosin was one of the coldest wars in US history, with temperatures as low as 25 below zero. There were about 12,000 casualties and of them there were over 3,000 killed. -
Bomb Talk
The US President (Harry S. Truman) threatens he will have to use the atomic bomb on the Communist Chinese Forces. -
Wrong Statement
General Douglas MacArthur claimed that "there is no substitute for victory", but in a war there are some substitutes for victory. -
Bloody War
The bloody war along the 38th parallel with no territory being covered continues for the next two years, as people talk about peace failing. The troops keep getting reminded that they must stay in the ditch or die, and it starts to look like World War I. -
Seoul is recaptured
North Korea reclaims Seoul, as UN troops retreat back towards the 38th parallel. UN troops stop North Korea troops 30 miles south from Seoul and begin a counteroffensive (an attack). -
Seoul recaptured (again!)
UN troop recapture the injured city, Seoul (for the final time). MacArthur and his troop now inch there way slightly north of the 38th parallel. -
Atomic Bomb
If more troop from the Soviet or Chinese bases entered the war the US Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered their atomic retaliation. -
MacArthur's Speech
MacArthur gives a speech where he claims "Old soldiers never die, they merely fade away", which moves his crowd, and everyone was very emotional. He gave this speech to Congress after being away from the US since 1935. -
Truce Talks Begin
Near the 38th parallel, at Kaesong, talk about having a truce begins. The talking begins by US Vice Admiral C. Turner and General NamI (for the North Korean side). The truce sight is then moved to the village of Panmunjom. -
Bombs Released
The talks at Panmunjom deadlock. For two straight months US planes bomb North Korea's capital Pyongyang. Talks resume the next March. -
Korean War Ends
The actual violence stops, but the war technically still goes on, since neither side signed a peace treaty. The UN, North Korea and China sign and armistice agreement, but South Korea refuses. The agreement states a "2.5-mile-wide buffer zone across the middle of the Korean Peninsula that closely follows the 38th Parallel."
