Korean War - Conflict, Armistice, 38th Parallel

Korean War

Table of Contents

Introduction & Top Questions
Revolution, division, and partisan warfare, 1945–50
Invasion and counterinvasion, 1950–51
- South to Pusan
- North to the Yalu
- Back to the 38th parallel
- To the negotiating table
Talking and fighting, 1951–53
- Battling for position
- Battling over POWs
- Guerrilla warfare
- Air warfare
- Strengthening the ROK
- The final push
- Armistice

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

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For Students

Korean War summary

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As UNC troops crossed the 38th parallel, Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong received a plea for direct military aid from Kim Il-sung. The chairman was willing to intervene, but he needed assurances of Soviet air power. Stalin promised to extend China’s air defenses (manned by Soviets) to a corridor above the Yalu, thus protecting air bases in Manchuria and hydroelectric plants on the river, and he also promised new Soviet weapons and armaments factories. After much debate, Mao ordered the Renmin Zhiyuanjun, or Chinese People’s Volunteers Force (CPVF), to cross into Korea. It was commanded by General Peng Dehuai, ...(100 of 6820 words)

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