Korean War History
 Background Times were prosperous after World War II yet there was a lingering hint of fear in
the air. Many people believed the United States was filled with communists. Indeed, some communist spies were discovered here, the Rosenberg case being the most infamous example. There was also the question of the atomic bomb. The U.S. discovered it was no longer alone in this area when Russia tested an atomic bomb soon after the war. China was another threat. Before World War II a civil war had broken out in that country with two groups fighting for control. During World War II they joined forces to fight their common enemy, Japan, but once the war ended they went back to fighting each other, with the communists eventually winning.
War Events At the end of World War II, Korea was divided in
two at latitude 38 degrees north (also known as the 38th parallel) with the intention
of bringing the two together. Promised free elections were never allowed, and
in 1950 Kim Il Sung, the leader of North Korea, sent his powerful army into South
Korea. The United Nations responded quickly, imposing military sanctions. The
United States and 19 other nations committed troops to this "police action." Despite
initial heavy losses, the combined UN forces finally began to win. Then the situation
changed when General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of UN troops in Korea,
disobeyed orders to stay in South Korea. Going beyond the 38th parallel into
North Korea brought communist China's well-trained and well-equipped army into
the war. When the fighting finally ended in 1953, no one was truly victorious.
The 38th parallel dividing line remained intact.
Home Front Back home, the American people worried that communism would take over the United States and dominate the world. Senator Joseph McCarthy spearheaded a communist hunt fueled by these fears throughout the country. His television appearances infected the nation with an anti-communist hysteria that ruined numerous lives from politicians to actors and writers.
| 1950 |
|
|
| June 25 |
North Korea invades South Korea. |
| June 27 |
UN Security Council asks members to assist
South Korea. |
| June 30 |
Truman orders U.S. ground troops to South Korea. |
July 7
|
General Douglas MacArthur is appointed head
of UN command. |
| Sept. 15 |
Allied troops stage Inchon landing behind enemy
lines. |
| Sept. 26 |
General MacArthur announces the capture of
Seoul. |
| Oct. 7 |
U.S. troops cross the 38th parallel. |
| Oct. 14 |
China moves south into North Korea. |
| Oct. 19 |
Allies capture Pyongyang. |
Oct. 27
|
Chinese soldiers attack UN troops. |
| Nov. 26 |
Allied troops retreat. |
|
1951
|
|
| Jan. 4 |
Communist troops occupy Seoul. |
| Jan. 11 |
The UN proposes a cease-fire agreement. |
| Jan. 17 |
The proposal is rejected by Chinese. |
| Feb. 1 |
UN declares China to be an aggressor state. |
| Mar. 14 |
Allied troops reoccupy Seoul. |
| Apr. 11 |
General MacArthur is fired by President Truman
and replaced with General Ridgeway. |
| June 23 |
Soviets call for a ceasefire. |
| July 10 |
Armistice negotiations begin at Kaesong. |
| Nov. 26 |
The demarcation line is established. |
| 1952
|
|
| May 7 |
A stalemate occurs in the peace talks over
POW issues. |
| Oct. 8 |
Peace talks are broken off. |
|
1953
|
|
| Feb. 22 |
A proposal is made to exchange sick and wounded. |
| Apr. 20 |
Sick and wounded are exchanged under Operation
Little Switch. |
| Apr. 26 |
Armistice talks resume at Panmunjom. |
| July 27 |
Armistice agreement is signed; the fighting
ends. |
| Aug. 5 |
Prisoners of war are exchanged under Operation
Big Switch. |
|
