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38th Parallel
Korea is divided in two at the 38th parallel. It is the boundary between the Democratic's People Republic of Korea (North) and the Republic of Korea (South). -
End of WWII
Korea: Korea becomes divided nation. The north having surrendered to Soviet forces and south to the US. Vietnam: France controls Vietnam. Nationalist independence movements first arise (Ho Chi Min). Nationalists found the Vietminh League. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman declares that the US should give support to countries or people threatened by Soviet/communist forces. -
United Nations gets involved
North Koreans sweep across 38th parallel in surprise attack on south. UN forces get involved due to the South’s plea. Capitalist nations send troops and supplies to the South while China and USSR defend the communists. Soviets refuse to go to meeting so they can’t veto the plan to send international force to stop Korean invasion. -
Douglas MacArthur
North Koreans control almost entire peninsula. Douglas MacArthur launches surprise attack. Half North Koreans surrendered others retreated. -
Cease-fire Agreement
UN forces and North Korea sign a cease-fire agreement. Border is set at 38th parallel. -
17th Parallel
International Peace Conference in Geneva takes place and Vietnam is divided at 17 north latitude. North becomes communist and the South sets up capitalist government by the US and France. -
In need of troops
US realizes they need more troops which Congress authorizes. 185,000 are in combat on Japanese soil by late 1965. Bombs are being heavily used. -
Vietnamization
Vietnamization. Nixon plans to gradually pull out US troops while South Vietnamese increase their combat role. Nixon authorizes bombing on NV and neighboring countries. -
Victorious North Vietnamese
Victorious North Vietnamese control the South. People are sent to “reeducation camps” for Communist training. 1.5 million people flee Vietnam. -
Relations normalized
United States normalizes relation with Vietnam
