Soviets & Americans withdraw military 1949 A pro-Soviet puppet government is left in charge of North Korea with a vastly superior army to U.S.-supported South
North Korea invades South Korea June 24, 1950 Whether North Koreans acted with Stalin's approval is still debated
Truman orders air and naval support for South Korea & calls for UN intervention June 27, 1950 With the Soviet Union absent from the Security Council, the U.S. was able to win agreement from UN to support South Korea. MacArthur appointed to command UN operations
U.S. troops invade at Inchon September 15, 1950 In surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel
Pyongyang falls to UN forces October 19, 1950 North Korean capital now in UN control
Chinese divisions enter fighting November 4, 1950 With increased opposition, UN offensive stalls and then collapses. Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture Southern capital of Seoul
MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory" March 1951 In message to House Republican leader Martin, MacArthur expresses his frustration with the limited war U.S. is fighting against communists
Truman relieves MacArthur of command April 11, 1951 Following several warnings about insubordination, Truman angers public (69% support MacArthur) by firing the US commander
MacArthur addresses Congress after being away from the U.S. since 1935 April 19, 1951 In emotional speech, MacArthur declares "Old soldiers never die, they merely fade away".
Negotiations begin at Panmunjon July 1951 Talks drag on until 1953 and war is settled with the establishment of a DMZ (demilitarized zone) on each side of the 38th parallel
Korea becomes campaign issue in 1952 presidential election Summer 1952 Eisenhower pledges to go to Korea to end the war. VP candidate Nixon contends Democrats had caved in to communists in Korea and that Democrat presidential candidate Stevenson should be called "Adlai the Appeaser"
Armistice formally re-established the division of Korea
