1. Events leading to the start of the Korean War
After WWII, Korea was divided into two countries at the 38th Parallel
line(38o N Latitude). North Korea became a communist country with
the support of China and the Soviet Union. South Korea had a non-
communist government and was supported by the United States. In June
1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. President Truman asked for
the United Nations to send a peace keeping force into Korea to stop the
fighting. The U.S. made up the biggest part of the U.N. forces. Official
the U.S. never declares war, but instead enters the conflict as a policing
force under the United Nation with the goal of stopping North Korea’s
aggression.
Korean War Memorial, Washington DC

2. Events leading to the start of the Korean War

3. China’s involvement in the war
The U.N. forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur
were able to push the North Koreans back across the 38th Parallel.
MacArthur continued to advanced deeper into North Korea. At this
point China became alarmed and warned that if U.N. forces continued to
move closer to their border they would enter the war on the side of
North Korea. The U.N. forces did not withdraw and China entered the
war. MacArthur wanted to attack China directly, but President Truman
wouldn’t allow him for fear that Korea would grow into a larger
conflict. Truman eventually replaces MacArthur.
Truman and MacArthur

4. Outcomes of the Korean War
A cease fire went into effect on July 27, President Eisenhower
brought the war to an end as he had promised in his election campaign.
The war ended in a stalemate. The border between North and South
Korea remained at the 38th Parallel (DMZ- Demilitarized Zone). Many
Americans felt frustrated by the indecisive war. Over 33,000 American
soldiers were killed in the war, with another 103,000 being wounded.