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KOREAN DIVISION
An agreement following the end of World War II divides Korea - formerly annexed by Axis power Japan - into U.S. and Soviet occupation zones along the 38th Parallel. The split keeps the country's original capital city, Seoul, in the south. -
Period: to
YEARS
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TRUMAN DOCTRINE
Current U.S President Harry S. Truman presents his "Truman Doctrine," pledging American aid and assistance to any nation that is threatened by Communist rule. -
NORTH KOREAN PEOPLE'S ARMY
North Korean People's Army (NK) officially activated -
SYNGMAN RHEE ELECTED
In the Republic of Korea,70-year-old Syngman Rhee is elected chairman of the Korean Assembly, and later becomes president. -
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Communist led North Korean officially becomes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. -
CONDEMNATION OF NORTH KOREA
The US and UN unanimously condemn North Korea. North Korea broke article 32 of the UN Charter. -
KOREAN WAR BEGINS
"After a year of military provocations by both sides along the 38th Parallel, North Korea sends an invasion force into South Korea. Northern forces overwhelm the ill-equipped defenders and capture Seoul in three days. The United Nations condemns the attack and creates a "police" force to help defend South Korea." -
CAPTURE OF SEOUL
North Korea Captures Seoul, the South Korean capital. -
CHINA ENTERS THE WAR
China becomes involved in the Korean War. -
ATOMIC THREATS
"U.S. President Harry S. Truman threatens to use the atomic bomb against the communist Chinese forces. By April 5 of the next year, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered atomic retaliation against Soviet and Chinese bases if more communist troops entered the war." -
SEOUL RECAPTURED
"The South Korean capital of Seoul changes hands for the last time as U.N. troops recapture the battered city. MacArthur's army advances slightly north of the 38th Parallel." -
MacArthur Dismissed
"Because of their disagreement in how to militarily handle the Korean War, U.S. Truman recalls MacArthur as commander of the U.N. forces and U.S. Gen. Matthew Ridgeway is given command." -
STALEMATE
"The war along the 38th Parallel becomes a stalemate reminiscent of trench warfare fought in World War I. The pattern of bloody fighting with no real capturing of territory continues for the next two years as peace talks repeatedly fail." -
Exchange POWs #1
United Nations propose to exchange Prisoners of War. -
Exchange POWs #2
"POW Exchange Proposal rejected by Communists." -
TRUCE TALKS CEASE
"Talks at Panmunjom deadlock and are recessed. U.S. planes bomb the North Korean capital Pyongyang for two straight months and talks are resumed the following March." -
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
After being elected, Dwight D. Eisenhower travels to Korean to join in the peace negotiations. -
KOREAN ARMISTICE
"The U.N., North Korea and China sign an armistice agreement, continuing the division of Korea. South Korea refuses to sign. The agreement calls for 2.5-mile wide buffer zone across the middle of Korean Peninsula that closely follows the 38h Parallel."
