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Start of Japanese Occupation of Korea
Japanese soldiers marching in Korea -
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Japanese Occupation of Korea
Korea was officially annexed by Japan in the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1910. Before this Korea was protected by Japan in the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905. When World War II ended Japan lost control of Korea. -
Korea is Divided at the 38th Parallel by the United States and Soviet Union
After Japan surrendered in August 1945, Korea was split up into two countries, South Korea and North Korea. Soviets moved into the north and the United States set up bases in the south. The goal was to one day reunite the two Koreas. -
End of World War II
A formal surrender ceremony by Japan took place on September 2. This marks the ending of World War II. It is known as V-J Day. Japan lost controll of Korea after this, and that led to the seperation of Korea. -
Korean War Begins
Both North and South Korea had set up governments that they thought should be the main government of Korea. On June 25, 1950, North Korea with the support of the Soviet Union and China invaded South Korea. This was the start of the Korean War. The United Nations forces soon came to the defense of South Korea. -
Start of the Battle of Rusan Perimeter
Troops after debarking from a ship in Korea -
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Battle of Pusan Perimeter
U.N troops were on the brink of defeat and were pushed back to the “Pusan Perimeter”. They made a last stand against North Korean forces. With the port on their side, the U.N. forces were able to defeat the North Korean forces after six weeks of fighting. -
Battle in Inchon
A surprise amphibious landing was made by U.S. Marines forces at the strategic port of Inchon. Even though the location was considered risky, General Douglas MacArthur insisted on the bold move. This landing changed the course of the war, because U.N. forces were able to break into North Korean supply lines soon after. -
UN/South Korean Troops Cross the Border into North Korea
An invasion into North Korea was authorized by President Truman. The United Nations forces crossed the 38th parallel. MacArthur’s troops moved into North Korea to the Yalu River. The Chinese army threaten to send troops if the U.N. forces didn't stop. -
China Enters The Korean War
China sent troops to help North Korea fight South Korea. The Chinese forced the U.N. troops to retreat past the 38th Parallel. Because China started fighting in the war, Truman started to consider using a nuclear bomb. -
Chinese Winter Offensive
Prisoners of War captured by U.S. Marines -
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Chinese Winter Offensive
General MacArthur and the UN forces were nearing the border with the People’s Republic of China. In October 1950 Chinese troops came to assist their North Korean ally. By November 26, the Chinese were launching destructive counterattacks along a 25-mile front. By December, U.N forces had been pushed out of North Korea. -
President Eisenhower Visits Korea
President Eisenhower goes to Korea looking for a way to end the Korean War. Eisenhower made a promise that if he was elected he would go to Korea. He soon adopted a get-tough policy towards the communists in Korea. -
Korean War is Officially Over
The Korean Armistice Agreement ended the Korean War. Prisoners of War were given a choice of where to live. Also, the Korean Demilitarized Zone was created. It was a new boarder between South Korea and North Korea -
Cease-Fire is Signed
A cease-fire resulted by the armistice being signed.
The armistice was a formal agreement designed to stop fighting between North and South Korea. This cease-fire caused the end of the war.
