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End of WWII
Japan surrenders, ending World War II. US Army officials determine the postwar dividing line between the Soviets and US zone controls in Korea. -
Harry Truman promises to fight Communism
President Harry Truman gives a speech and says that that the U.S. will help any country that is threatened by communism. The speech is called the Truman Doctrine. -
Korea is divided
South Korea, also known as the Republic of Korea, is established. Less than a month later North Korea was established. -
US and China dispute
China does not follow their promise to the US for free elections. Communism is established in North Korea under the power of Kim il Sung. -
North Korea invades South Korea
With permission from Russia, North Korea invades South Korea and continues on to the capital of Seoul. South Korea does not have enough strong army to stop it. -
South Korean President Syngman Rhee executes 100,000 people.
Worried that South Koreans will join the communists, President Syngman Rhee starts the Summer of Terror and orders over 100,000 people killed. -
United States joins the Korean War
President Harry Truman sends U.S. troops to Korea. The U.S. and other countries in the United Nations join the war because they want to stop communism from spreading to South Korea. -
The United States is defeated at Osan
American troops fight North Korean troops in Osan. The Americans expected an easy victory, but are surprised to find out that they are no match for the North Korean army. -
The United States gets a victory at Inchon
General Douglas MacArthur leads an invasion into South Korea at the city of Inchon. From there, the United Nations troops go to Seoul and take it back from North Korea. -
China joins the Korean War
China joins the war to fight on the side of North Korea. China's army, called the People's Volunteer Army, wins several important victories and pushes the U.S. and South Korean troops back across the 38th parallel. -
United States reaches the capital of North Korea
U.S. troops push their way into Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. Soldiers believe that the war will be over soon and start to take bets on what day the war will officially end. -
The United Nations forces launch the "Home by Christmas" offensive
General MacArthur orders the United Nations forces to move to the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and northeast China. MacArthur said the UN troops would be home by Christmas, but they are attacked by 180,000 Chinese soldiers and have to retreat. -
Dwight Eisenhower is elected president.
General Dwight Eisenhower defeats Illinois Senator Adlai Stevenson to become president of the United States. During his campaign, Eisenhower said he would end the war in Korea. -
North Korea and South Korea agree to a truce.
North Korea and South Korea sign an agreement to stop fighting. Korea is still divided, but the two countries agree to create a neutral zone called the Demilitarized Zone to separate the countries.
