Korean war
After WWII, Korea was divided at the 38th Parallel. When Japan left Korea after its 35 year control, the US and USSR agreed to both temporarily occupy Korea, and set up a government that would later be free to adopt any system it wanted. Since the Soviets and Americans would not be productive if they occupied the same area of Korea, they split the country at the 38th parallel. The Northern half would be temporarily occupied by the Soviets, the Southern half, by the Americans. The Soviets refused to cooperate with the United Nations, who wanted to hold elections in both half of Korea to decide on their government. As a result, the industrial North Korea became Communist, while the agricultural South Korea became Democratic.
By 1950, the North Koreans wanted to unify all of Korea under a Communist government. When South Korea refused, the North invaded. On July 25, 1950, the US faced the North Koreans for the first time at the Battle of Yongdong. The US lost, but they hurt the North Koreans enough to give the United Nations time to organize themselves. The Soviets wanted to help their fellow Communists, so they gave the North Koreans both financial aid, as well as some Soviet troops. The United Nations identified North Korea as the aggressor in the conflict, and sent men to help South Korea. After reestablishing the 38th parallel however, the United Nation withdrew their men. Only the United States stayed behind.
By September 1950, the North Koreans had pushed all the way to the Pusan perimeter. They never got further than that however, because UN troops arrived to aid South Korea. After reaching the 38th Parallel, the United Nations troops returned home, while the US and South Korean troops pushed all the way to the Yalu River, in North Korea. At that point, China felt threatened and sent 300,000 troops into North Korea, changing the tide of the war again.
Through the course of the Korean war, many battles were fought. Three of the major battles were the Battle of Pusan, the Battle of Inchon, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. During the Battle of Pusan, lasting from August 4 to September 18, 1950, the first unit that arrived directly from the US was given the job of defending part of the Pusan perimeter. They had fought together, and their familiarity with each other was a great help. They successfully stopped the North Koreans, gaining the first victory for the US in the Korean Conflict. The Battle of Inchon started with ships headed for Korea. They were headed for the harbor of Inchon, 20 miles from the South Korean capital, Seoul. On September 15, 1950, troops attacked and captured Wolmi-do, an island in the outer harbor of Inchon. The next day, US troops overcame the Inchon defense, taking over the port. Over the next couple days the US troops moved inland towards Seoul. The North Koreans attempted a counter attack only once, failing miserably. he Battle of Chosin Reservoir started November 27, 1950, when the Chinese attacked unsuspecting US marines, outnumbering them 6-1. They attacked both at the front lines, and 35 miles behind the lines. The surprised marines were then forced to fight for 13 days in order to reach the coast, and escape the attack.
On July 27, 1953, the Korean War armistice was signed. The war was officially a stale mate, and the Korean border was restored to the 38 Parallel.
Today Korea remains divided into Communist North Korea, and the Democratic Republic of South Korea.
Through the course of the Korean war, many battles were fought. Three of the major battles were the Battle of Pusan, the Battle of Inchon, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. During the Battle of Pusan, lasting from August 4 to September 18, 1950, the first unit that arrived directly from the US was given the job of defending part of the Pusan perimeter. They had fought together, and their familiarity with each other was a great help. They successfully stopped the North Koreans, gaining the first victory for the US in the Korean Conflict. The Battle of Inchon started with ships headed for Korea. They were headed for the harbor of Inchon, 20 miles from the South Korean capital, Seoul. On September 15, 1950, troops attacked and captured Wolmi-do, an island in the outer harbor of Inchon. The next day, US troops overcame the Inchon defense, taking over the port. Over the next couple days the US troops moved inland towards Seoul. The North Koreans attempted a counter attack only once, failing miserably. he Battle of Chosin Reservoir started November 27, 1950, when the Chinese attacked unsuspecting US marines, outnumbering them 6-1. They attacked both at the front lines, and 35 miles behind the lines. The surprised marines were then forced to fight for 13 days in order to reach the coast, and escape the attack.
On July 27, 1953, the Korean War armistice was signed. The war was officially a stale mate, and the Korean border was restored to the 38 Parallel.
Today Korea remains divided into Communist North Korea, and the Democratic Republic of South Korea.
Douglas MacArthur (Left) was the commander of US forces in Korea until he disobeyed President Truman's orders, and invaded Korea. The DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone (Middle and Right) establishes the border between North and South Korea today. It is full of land mines and heavily guarded so that no one can cross.