Soviets & Americans withdraw military1949A 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 KoreaJune 24, 1950Whether North Koreans acted with Stalin's approval is still debated
Truman orders air and naval support for South Korea & calls for UN interventionJune 27, 1950With 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 InchonSeptember 15, 1950In surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel
Pyongyang falls to UN forcesOctober 19, 1950North Korean capital now in UN control
Chinese divisions enter fightingNovember 4, 1950With 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 1951In message to House Republican leader Martin, MacArthur expresses his frustration with the limited war U.S. is fighting against communists
Truman relieves MacArthur of commandApril 11, 1951Following 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 1935April 19, 1951In emotional speech, MacArthur declares "Old soldiers never die, they merely fade away".
Negotiations begin at PanmunjonJuly 1951Talks 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 electionSummer 1952Eisenhower 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
