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Japonese occupation of Korea begins
The colonial rule lasted until 1945. For the first ten years, the Japonese ruled with their military. Any Korean dissent was ruthlessly crushed. On March 1, 1919, their rule relaxed a little allowing some freedom. A lot of recognizable modern aspects of the Korean society grew considerably throught the 35 year rule. By the time the Japonese surrender in August of 1945, korea was the second-most industrialized nation in Asia. The first was Japan itself. -
Chinese Winter Offensive
After the Chinese warnings had been ignored, China decided to enter the war. To defend their own land, their forces had to have a plan which would reduce American advantages. China had enough soldiers, but not enough weapons to fight with. Their soldiers may have been small compared to the American soldiers, but they were well-trained. In the daytime, they would hide in the mountains to avoid any American Air-forces. Then at night, they would take the army by surprise. -
World War II Ends
Japan had formally surrendered on August 15. -
Korea is devided at the 38th parrallel by the US and the USSR
It was the allied victory that had led to the end of the Japonese occupation of thirty-five years. The US had feared the spread of communism after the Soviets moved into North Korea. The US also did not want the Soviets to take control of the entire Korean peninsula. The US wanted to create an occupation zone, so their government decided to draw a line that split North and South Korea. It was then called the 38th parallel. -
Korean War Begins/North Korea attacks South Korea
The war started when North Korea attacked South Korea. The US quickly sprang to the defense of South Korea and fought for the next 3 years. North Korea quickly headed toward the capitol city of Seoul. The US had then called for the military to help defend South Korea. Harry S. Truman then sent out air, land, and sea forces to Korea. This was called a "police action." -
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
This battle was a long and extensive military engagement between the United Nations forces and the communist army of North Korea. Waves after waves of communist attacks were being launched at Pusan. On the 1st of September, the last communist assult was launched. -
Battle in Ichon/ General MacArthur's Amphibious Landing
This battle reserved the near-total occupation of the peninsula by the invading North Korean army and began a counterattack by UN forces tat led to the recapture of Seoul. US marine forces made a surprise amphibious landing at the strategic part of Ichon. The location had been critized of being too risky but Macarthur insisted on carrying out the bold landing. -
UN/South Korean troops cross the border
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China enters the Korean War
Thousands of Chinese had attacked from the North, Northwest, and the West against scattered US and South Korean units moving into North Korea. By the morning, the 8th calvary tried to withdraw, but a Chinese roadblock to their rear forced them to abandon their artillery. Only a few scattered survivors made it back to te their story. -
President Eisenhower visits Korea, fulfilling his campaign promise
Eisenhower went to Korea to see he could see if he could find a way stop the frustrating Korean war. He had said that if he was elected, he would go over to Korea to get a firsthand view of the situation. His promise boosted his popularity. When he was elected, he fufilled his campaign promise and went to Korea. -
Korean war is officially over
The US, the Republic of China, South Korea, and North Korea all agreed to an armistice. When it was signed, it established a committee of representatives that decided the fate of thousands of prisoners on both sides. It was decided that they get to choose if they would stay or go back to their homeland. The war had cost lives of millions of Koreans and Chinese, as well as 50,000 Americans. -
Cease-fire is signed
A cease fire is a temporary stoppage of a war. Each side agrees wih each other to suspend aggressive actions. They could be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have been called an informal understanding between opposing forces. If they are successful, then they might be followed by an armistice.
