The peninsula of Korea was controlled by Japan in 1895. Later in 1910, the peninsula became a part of Japan. Japanese became the official language, and Shintoism became the official religion. Usage of the Korean language was banned, and local religions were persecuted. Korea became the "Rice Bowl" of Japan, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in total rice output. However, per capita consumption of rice fell even more dramatically. So while there was more rice than ever before, everybody but the Japanese was going hungry. In 1945, Japan surrendered its rule of Korea to the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States troops moved into the southern part of Korea and the Soviet Union moved its troops into the northern part of Korea. By mutual decisions after World War II, the two countries decided to divide the region in half at the 38th parallel. By 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Pyongyang was formed in the North and the Republic of Korea in Seoul was formed in the South. The Korean War began in June of 1950, when North Korean tanks rolled across the 38th parallel, attempting to quickly unite the country by force. Unprepared, undermanned, and overwhelmed, Republic of Korea forces retreated wildly, as the United States rushed what troops it had from Japan while China got troops to support the North. It seemed like the fighting could on indefinitely until finally a cease-fire was signed in 1953. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) was set up between the North and South, along the front, which in turn closely followed the 38th parallel. While little fights would occur between both sides, as well as some important cases of schemes and killings, all fighting effectively stopped in 1953. After the cease-fire, the United States and the Republic of Korea made and agreed to a joint defense treaty. The treaty would allow the United States to establish bases within South Korea and station forty thousand
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