History week 26.

The Korean War (1950–1953) was a pivotal conflict in the early Cold War era, fought between North Korea (backed by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United Nations, primarily the United States)

Timeline & Key Events

1. June 25, 1950: North Korea invades South Korea across the 38th parallel.
2. July 1950: U.S. and UN forces intervene to support South Korea.
3. Late 1950: UN forces push into North Korea; China enters the war on North Korea’s side.
4. 1951–1953: Stalemate and brutal trench warfare near the 38th parallel.
5. July 27, 1953: Armistice signed, ending active combat but not officially ending the war.
6. Causes
7. Post-WWII division of Korea at the 38th parallel by the U.S. and USSR.
8. Emergence of two rival governments: communist North Korea and capitalist South Korea.
9. Cold War tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union fueled proxy conflicts like this one.
10. Combatants
11. North Korea: Supported by China and the Soviet Union.
12. South Korea: Supported by the United States and other UN member nations.
13. Impact
14. Estimated 5 million deaths, including over 1.6–3 million civilians.
15. Massive destruction across the Korean Peninsula.
16. Creation of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which still divides North and South Korea.
17. No peace treaty was signed—technically, the war has never officially ended.
18. Legacy
19. Often called “The Forgotten War” in the U.S. due to limited public attention compared to WWII and Vietnam.