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Period: to
Pre - Post Korean War
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Harry Truman becomes US President
Truman became president after president Roosevelt died suddenly. As a new President, Truman was not as prepared to deal with the issues of a country at war. When Roosevelt died, Truman was left with managing World War II and figuring out what to do with Russia. -
Germany Surrenders
The war in Europe ended when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany's surrender. -
US Bombs Hiroshima, Japan
In an effort to end the war in the Pacific and prevent massive US casualties that could result from an invasion of Japan, President Truman approved the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9). -
End of World War II
The end of the World War II lead to a new concern. This was going to war with the Soviet Union. Most American officials agrees that the best defense against the Soviet Threat was a strategy called "cotainment." To try to undermine communism. President Truman belived that capitalism, Freedom and the American way of life were in danger of being over by communism. -
38th Parallel
Soviet forces complete their occupation of North Korea, halting their southward advance through the country exaclty at the 38th parallel, as agreed at the Potsdam conference. The Soviets will wait patiently for several weeks as the Ameriacns hastily organize their own occupation of South Korea. -
Truman Doctrine
In a speech later remembered as the "Truman Doctrine," President Harry S. Truman pledges American assistance to any nation in the world threatened by Communism. This pledge officially established the worldwide containment of Communism as a vital American national security interest. -
Truman Desegregates Military
President Truman desegregates the US Armed Foces by signing Executive Order 9981. The order states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armerd services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." -
North Korean Leader, Kim II Sung asks USSR permission to Invade South Korea
North Korean leader Kim II Sung goes to Moscow to ask Soviet leader Josef Stalin's permission to invade South Korea and begin the Korean War. Stalin gives the green light because he believes the United States has little interest in Korea. -
1950 Korean Election
President Syngman Rhee's unpopular conservative faction loses control over the South Korean assembly when voters elect anti-Rhee moderates to office in the 1950 elections. Somehow, President Rhee remains president. -
Syngman Rhee and "the Summer of Terror"
In response to North Korea's invasion of his country, South Korean President Syngman Rhee orders his military and special police forces to eliminate the threat posed to his regime by political prisoners and leftist protesters whom he fears will join forces will execute more than 100,000 people. Decades later, mass graves were found in South Korea. -
The start of the Korean War
The Domino Theory is what to belive the cause of the Usa to start the war with South Korea. President Truman belived that if one country fell to communism, then other countries will follow like a line of dominions. If Korea fell, Japan would do the same and Japan is a imporanat trade route for Ameriacn. President Truman realiszed the USA war in a competition for world domination with the USSR by supporting South Korea, America was able to fight Communism without directly attacking Russia. -
US and UN Condemn North Korea
In an effort to get North Korea to quit pushing for war, the United Nations and the US condemn North Korea. -
North Korea Captures Seoul, South Korea
North Korea captures the South Korean capital city of Seoul. -
Truman Authorizes Advance in to North Korea - General MacArthur Confident of Victory
President Truman authorizes General MacArthur to order his forces to pursue the retreating North Koreans across the 38th parallel, into North Korea. His decison expands the American war arms. Now the US is not only rescuing South Korea but it is fighting the Communist regime in North Korea. Truman's order tells General MacArthur to keep pushing northward as long as he does not encounter Soviet or Chinese troops. General MacArthur is confident of victory. -
Chinese Secretly Cross the Yalu River
Communist Chinese forces, who have been secretly infiltrating Korean territory by slipping across the Yalu River under cover of darkness, ambush a South Korean regiment high in the mountains of North Korea. This is the first of many Chinese victories over unprepared and overstretched South Korean and American units over the winter of 1950-51. -
MacArthur Rebukes Truman
MacArthur was frustrated by the Truman administration's strategy of limited war in Korea, which prevents him from attacking China or making use of nuclear weapons. General MacArthur makes a public statement threatening the Chinese with imminent destruction if they do not withdraw from Korea without President Truman's permission. -
President Truman Fires General MacArthur
The White House makes a special late-night announcement that General MacArthur has been relieved of his duties. -
Truman Speaks to Nation
President Truman explains why he has relieved General MacArthur. Truman strsses the American goal in Korea is to avoid a third World War, and states that a "number of events have made it evident that MacArthur did not agree with that policy." -
MacArthur addresses Congress - Gets a Standing Ovation
General MacArthur receives a standing ovation from a bipartisan majority of the Legislation packed into the House Chamber. -
MacArthur tape parade - American People support his Aggressive Approach in Korea
In New York city, an estimated of 7.5 million people turn out to cheer for MacArthur as he parades through the city in the back of an open Chrysler. -
General MacArthur Hearing
Through more than a month of hearing, General MacArthur is viewed as arrogant and recklessness. Most Americans come to believe President Truman was correct to remove MacArthur from command. -
Korean War Ends - No Real Winner
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Korean War Armistice
After nearly two years of negotiations, diplomats from the United States, North Korea, and China reach agreement on an armistice to end the "UN peace action" in Korea without a formal peace treaty. Both sides claim victory.
