Korean War Timeline

Chinese Revolution

1945

Nationalist leader, Chiang Kai-shek is in a civil war against communist party led by Mao Zedong in which no one expected the nationalists to lose. However, the nationalists were weak from other conflict, and Mao struck at the right time and China ended up becoming Communist. This relates to the Korean War as Communist influence is starting to strike amongst major countries in the world.

The 38th Parallel

1946

After World War 2, Korea was no longer controlled by Japan and was split up amongst the United States and the Soviet Union. The dividing line was set at tje 38th Parallel of latitude, with the USSR getting the northern half, and the United States getting the southern half. USSR made the North Communist, and U.S. provided aid to noncommunist south korea

North Korean Invasion

June, 1950

Soon after the communists won in China, The United States decides to depart Korea. Very soon after, North Korea decides to militarize and their forces attack over the 38th parallel. 90,000 North Korean troops were armed with powerful tanks and other Soviet Weapons. Within days, they take over South Korean capital of Seoul.

Harry Truman

July, 1950

Within days, Truman wanted to aid South Korea at threat of a possible third world war brewing. The UN Security Council quickly and unanamously voted and agreed to follow Truman's lead. So, The United States send troops to South Korea to defend aginst communism. The USSR was unable to veto this decision since they had not been attending meetings because the UN refused Mao a seat on the Council.

Douglas MacArthur

Soon after troops arive in South Korea, World War 2 hero Douglas MacArthur plans to drive the invaders from South Korea. He suspected that North Korea was low on supply lines because of their rapid advancement, so he decides to launch a surprise attack on the port city of Inchon. They weren't expecting it and the communists were forced to flee for the North Korean Border.

September, 1950

Limited War

MacArthur wanted to keep attacking up North, however the UN troops were severely outnumbered and were forced back. Now that China had entered the War, everything changed. The only way this war would be won would mean sacrificing a lot of lives, and Truman was not fond of this. While MacArthur wanted to invade China and win the war, Truman believed in limited war, a war faught with specific goals in mind, not just for total victory. Eventually, MacArthur returned home a national hero.

November, 1950

Election of 1952

1952

The stalemate that existed within the Korean War was a key issue Eisenhower targeted in his presidential campaign. He promised that if elected, he would end the war, America on top. He believed that the only way to end this war was with strong action.

Stalemate

A fierce stalemate existed and Americans were not happy. With Eisenhower in office, he decisded it's time to stop messing around. The only way to end this thing is the be aggressive. So, he decides to hint at possibly introducing nuclear warefare. However, with the death of Joseph Stalin, the communist Soviets lose hope and decide to sign a peace treaty.

July, 1953

Yalu River

After attacking at the 38th parallel, MacArthur's troops reach severe cold and mountainous terrain. However, with much grit and determination, the Allied forces had reached the Chinese border at Yalu River. Then, on November 25, 1950, 300,000 Chinese Soldiers attacked U.S. positions and they were forced back.

October, 1950

SEATO

By 1960, more than half the federal budget was being spent on military, Over a million United States Soldiers were currently stationed around the world. The United States was now interested in an alliances in asia to stop the spread of communism. The introduced, like NATO, the Southeast Asia Treaty Orginization, or SEATO. This included Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France, Britain, and the United States.

1960