Korean War

Japan had ruled over Korea from 1910 until 1945. As the end of World War II approached, troops south of the 38th parallel surrendered to the Americans while the troops north of the parallel surrendered to the soviets. As a result of this, two nations developed; one was democratic while the other was communistic.
In 1948, South Korea, Republic of Korea, was occupied by the United States. The government was led by Syngman Rhee. However, simultaneously, the Communists formed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led by Kim II Sung. Whereas the capital of South Korea was in Seoul, North Korea's was in Pyongyang. After WWII, in June 1949, there were only 500 troops remaining in Southern Korea. Due to this, the Soviets decided to invade South Korea.
The North Korean's ambushed South Korea on June 25, 1950. This led both countries into what is now known as the Korean War. Within days, North Korea had seized a large portion of South Korea. The South Koreans requested the United Nations to end the invasion. UN voted to aid South Korea due to a boycott from the Soviets protesting the presence of Taiwan.
On June 27, Troops stationed in Japan were ordered to support the South Koreans. Also, an American fleet was sent between China and Taiwan. In total, 16 nations sent a total of 520,000 troops. However, over 90% of these troops were from the U.S. After a month of fighting, North Korea forced the UN and South Korean troops to a small defensive zone around Pusen in the southeastern corner of the peninsula.
September 15, 1950 was when the U.S. troops launched a counter attack, which was a surprise amphibious assault. This allowed the beginnings of a U.S. push for communism to disappear form Korea. However, as U.S. troops approached the Yalu River, Communist China’s foreign minister, Zhou En-lai wanted North Korea as a buffer to protect the small communist states that made up Manchuria. Therefore, in late November 1950, 300,000 Chinese troops joined North Korea to push back the U.S. troops. Their numbers were so overwhelming that they drove the U.S. troops back to the middle of Korea. For the duration of the war, two years, it was mostly a standoff with neither side clearly winning
After the controversy of Macarthur died down, Soviet Union suggested a ceasefire on June 23, 1951. The line of separation was decided here and negotiators spent another year negotiating for prisoner releases. July 1953, the Armistice was declared. U.S. totaled a loss of 54,000 lives and they spent $67 billion in expenditures. As the war was viewed as a loss, the Democratic party didn't win the next election.

By: Eric and Johnny

The Start of the Korean War

Before around 1910, Japan had annexed Korea and ruled it until 1945. When the war ended , territory was surrendered to allied forces. However, soon after the U.S had to cut back on armed forces in South Korea. This withdrawal lead Soviets to think the U.S would not fight to defend Korea. So soon after, Soviets prepared to back Korea by providing tanks ,airplanes,and money in an attempt to take over the entire peninsula. On June 25, 1950 , North Korea's forces swept across the 38th parallel in a surprise attack on the south.This start of conflict officially started the Korean war. South Korea asks the UN for help against their northern enemies. Days later the vote was passed due to Soviet absence. June 27, President Truman ordered troops stationed in Japan to support the South Koreans. All together,sixteen nations sent about 520,000 troops to aid the south.(90% were American) Also, South Korean troops added an additional 590,000. The combined forces were placed under the command of the General Douglas MacArthur, former World War two hero in the Pacific.

Korean War

From 1910 until August 1945, Korea had been annexed by Japan. Near the ending of World War II, the Japanese north of the 38th parallel were forced to surrender to the Soviets, while those south had surrendered to the Americans. The results created a Northern communist part of Korea that was ruled by Kim Il Sung, and a Southern democratic part of Korea that was democratic. After WWII, the American troops left, leaving only 500 remaining in the south.
On June 25th, 1950, the North Koreans attacked the south, causing the Korean War. South Korea then called the UN to help stop the invasion, and Soviets were not able to veto the plan, due to being busy with boycotting the presence of Nationalist China (Taiwan). President Truman also gave support to the south by ordering the troops in Japan to help. Eventually, there were 16 nations in total sending aid, and adding 520,000 troops to South Korea's 590,000. WWII hero, General Douglas MacArthur was assigned to lead them.

On September 15th, 1950, a surprise attack was launched at Ichon, while other troops moved north from Pusan. The North Koreans were trapped. Half of the troops surrendered, while the others fled back to the 38th parallel, only to be chased down by the UN army.

Meanwhile, China's foreign minister Zhou En-lai ordered not to let Americans come. 300,000 chinese troops were sent to aid North Korea, and they managed to drive out all of the forces away. MacArthur requested permission to attack China, though President Truman rejected it due to the fear of WWIII.

On June 23rd, 1953, both sides agreed on a cease-fire on the battle line, and the establishment of a demelitarized zone. An armistice was created in July, ending the Korean War. The US had ended up sacraficing 54,000 lives, and $67 billion.