[edit] Leadup

1945: Division along 38th parallel between North Korea (under USSR influence) and South Korea under U.S. influence)
- UN wanted national elections, U.S. agreed believing the South would outvote the communist North
  - Elections never agreed upon, split stayed

[edit] New governments - 1948

South

Elected capitalist leader Syngman Rhee
- Became - The Independent Republic of Korea

North

The popular communist party of Kim Il Sung (supported by the USSR) came to power

USA and USSR withdraw occupying troops from Korea in 1949
- Dangerous situation
  - Artificial imperialist split creates public resentment
  - Both leaders wanted full power in a united Korea

North Korea attacks&invades South Korea
- Controversy surrounding South Korean troops reportedly in North Korea
North Korea pushes way down South
- U.N. responds, U.S. army under General MacArthur leads military against North Korea
  - Interesting diplomacy involved:
    - USA feels that they should take a stand (avoid a repeat of 1930's appeasement of Germany)
    - USSR walked out of the Security Council, forfeiting their Veto power -> resolution passed to first reprimand, then resist North Korean incursion
North Korean forces driven back to 38th parallel
- USA then decided to push further. According to some historians, this marks a shift in American policy from containment to roll-back
North Korea driven back to China by American forces
China retaliates, pushes back South to the 38th parallel.
Active fighting ends 1953, no peace treaty to this day