1. The Korean war

2. Korea Divided North, run by Soviets South, run by the U.S.
Divided at the 38th parallel
Were supposed to re-unite and hold elections but were declared two nations in 1948

3. WAR BREAKS OUT
June 1950 North Korea launches a surprise invasion of the South
South Korean forces are pushed back to the port of Pusan in
United Nations authorizes the use of force to stop the invasion (led by US but officially a UN police action, not war)

4. Battle of Inchon (September 1950)
Difficult site for an invasion
Quickly broke through North Korean lines
Recaptured capital of Seoul and began to push North Korean back from Pusan

5. Seoul Recaptured
Capitol of South Korea
September 25, 1950

6. UN Forces Led by U.S. General MacArthur
MacArthur pushed into North Korea, conquering most of the country very quickly
President Truman initially supported these aggressive actions but was afraid of inciting WWIII with China and the Soviets

7. Chinese Get Involved The UN troops reach the Chinese border
260,000 Chinese troops enter the war and push the UN forces back to the 38th Parallel

8. YOU’RE FIRED!!!
MacArthur publicly advocated an invasion of China and even the use of the Atomic bomb in order to win the war in Korea
Small victories were achieved without these actions, and Truman did not appreciate MacArthur’s public comments

9. Stalemate
Two years of fighting over very small areas of land near the 38th parallel
High casualties but kept fighting to have more land when peace treaty was negotiated

10. Impact of the War
After Eisenhower was elected an armistice was signed, but a treaty was not signed so technically the war is not over
Korea is still divided today (DMZ is most heavily guarded border in the world)
North Korea often acts violently towards South Korea and has nuclear weapons
South Korea is a successful democracy with a thriving economy