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38th Parallel
Soviet forces complete their occupation of nouthern Korea, halting their southward advance through the country exactly at the 38th parallel. -
Korea was split
Korea divided into North Korea and South Korea. The U.S. had control of the South and th e Soviet Un/ion had control of the North. -
US to leave Korea
American forces begin to prepare to withdraw from Korea, hoping to leave the South as an independent state under the leadership of the pro-American conservative Dr. Syngman Rhee. -
Syngman Rhee Elected
South Korea holds its first elections. With the Communists and other anti-Rhee factions boycotting the vote and challenging its legitimacy, Dr. Syngman Rhee wins easily, positioning himself to become South Korea's first president. -
Stalin Approves Korean Invasion
North Korean leader Kim II Sung goes to Moscow to ask Stalin's permission to invade South Korea and begin the Korean War. Stalin approves because he believes the US has little interest in Korea. -
North Korea invades South Korea
North Korea invaded South Korea, but it is still debated whether they acted with Stalin's approval. North Korean forces went across the 38th parallel into South Koreas territory quickly. They easily defeated the defensives positions of the overmatched South Korean forces. -
Period: to
Korean War
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North Korea Captures Seoul
North Korean forces capture the South Korean capital city of Seoul. -
UN Army enters Korea
The UN Army, led by General MacArthur, goes to Korea. It landed at Pusan, and made a landing at Inchon near the capital. MacArthur drove back the North Koreans and recaptured South Korea. -
Battle at Osan
American ground troops go into battle against Northern Korean forces at Osan. The Americans, expecting an easy victory over an overmatched foe, are stunned to discover that the North Korean army will be a formidable adversary. The Americans suffer 150 casualties in the battle and fail to halt the North Koreans' southward advance. -
North Korea Advances
Communist forces continue their southward advance through the Korean peninsula, driving American forces back to Daejeon, 100 miles south of Seoul. -
Chinese divisions enter fighting
With increased opposition, UN offensive stalls and then collapses. Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture the Southern capital, Seoul. -
Truman sends Reinforcements
Truman sent more troops and stepped up the bombing raids. The Americans drove the Chinese back, but lost 54,000 men in the process. -
MacAuthur fired
General MacArthur disagreed with the president and demanded that China surrender or be invaded. He went to the press and spoke out against the president. His actions caused the peace negotiations to stall and caused war to continue for approximately two more years. Because of this, President Truman relieved General MacAuthur of duty. -
Peace soon?
Talk about peace begins. -
War Over
A cease-fire is declared and is still in effect today. Peace Treaty signed at Panmunjom. 38th parallel reset as boundary between communist North and anti-communist South. Cold War tensions continue unabated.
