After Korea gained its independence from Germany after
World War II, the Soviets occupied North Korea where communism was promoted, and
the U.S. occupied South Korea where they supported the democratic government
already in place. This caused large tension, which led to the Korean War in
1950.
World War II, the Soviets occupied North Korea where communism was promoted, and
the U.S. occupied South Korea where they supported the democratic government
already in place. This caused large tension, which led to the Korean War in
1950.
The Korean War
Both the Soviets and U.S. agreed to leave Korea to rule itself, and they did, but the U.S. took all of its weapons from South Korea where the Soviets "accidentally" left theirs to the North Koreans. Wanting to spread communism, North Korea attacked South Korea. Seeing this as a test of American will, Truman asked the UN for help. The UN decided that they would help the Southern side of Korea, because North Korea attacked it without warning. U.S. troops led by General Douglas MacArthur were pushed into the southern corner of Korea, but with just the right leverage, they were able to push back and fought all the way to the top of North Korea. China warned the U.S. not to cross the Yalu River, but MacArthur did anyway, directly disobeying his president's orders. Chinese troops flooded the area and forced American troops to the 38th Parallel where the war came to a stalemate. Korea permanently split up into two areas, communist North Korea and democratic South Korea.