1) Before World War 2, Korea had been invaded by both China and Japan throughout its history and was split along the 38th parallel after WWII, with the Soviet-backed North and the democratic South. 2) In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to reunify the country by force under communist rule. 3) After initial setbacks, United Nations forces led by the United States pushed North Korea back above the 38th parallel and advanced towards the Chinese border, but peace talks began in 1951 and a ceasefire was signed in 1953, leaving the division of Korea along the original border.

1. The Korean War Why Korea is Split into Two Nations (1950 - 1953) (c) 2011 - Miles

2. Before the Korean War... Korea had been invaded by both China and Japan for much of their early history The Japanese invaded Korea and set up a harsh system of laws

3. Before the Korean War... After WWII, Korea split into 2 countries at the 38th Parallel. North Korea was communist with leader Kim Il-sung and they had the support of Stalin. South Korea was a democratic-republic

4. Containment - the process of not letting communism spread to other countries Containment Song

5. Before the Korean War... After WWII, the United States said that any country who attempted to spread communism would be destroyed When North Korea decided to invade South Korea, the U.S. decided to fight on the side of South Korea

6. During the Korean War... On June 25, 1950, North Korea decided to invade South Korea and crossed over the 38th Parallel to take over South Korea U.S. troops were overwhelmed and unprepared for the strong North Korea military forces. Decided to concede land by backing up down the peninsula in order to gain time to prepare to fight again

7. N. Korea decided to cross the 38th parallel U.S. came to the aid of South Korea US and S. Korean troops retreat to southern Korea to gain time despite having to give up land to N. Koreans US and S. Koreans moved northward by starting with a victory at Pusan Headed North to take control of Seoul and give back to the people of South Korea.

8. Road to Peace...kinda In 1951, both sides started to talk peace, but the talks lasted for more than 2 years. On July 27, 1953, a cease-fire was signed and the war was over.

9. After the war... Estimates from 3 million to 1/2 million dead military on each side More than 2 million civilians died in North Korea The 38th parallel remains exactly in place as it was before