Why did the Chinese fight in the Korean War?

Answer 1

At the end of World War II, Japan surrendered Korea to the Allies. The country was then divided into two parts, North Korea and South Korea. The United States withdrew its troops when the Republic of Korea was set up. They provided economic support. On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States then backed up South Korea and fought with them. So did many other Allied countries. In the first few weeks of the war, North Korean forces met little resistance and advanced rapidly. By September tenth, the South Korean Army had been driven to the Southeast tip of South Korea. On September fifteenth, the United Nations forces made a daring counterattack. They landed at Incheon. This was on the West coast. On October nineteenth, the North Korean capitol was captured. Eventually the U.N troops drove the North Korean troops to the border of China. China saw this as a threat and launched a counteroffensive. The communist forces worked together to force the U.N back to South Korea. They then captured the South Korean capitol. The fighting was eventually drawn back to the borders of the two countries. The border was called the 38th parallel. That is where it remained for the rest of the war. The countries never signed a treaty so technically they are still at war.

Answer 2

Beginning of the Cold War. Communism and Capitalism battling over territory. US wanted to contain communism, see Marshall Plan and containment. US feared if you didn't contain communism it will spread throughout the world. The communists felt the same way about capitalism. So China sent troops to help communist Korea fight against the US. Ended in stalemate creating the TMZ 39th parallel.