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Ho Chi Minhs Return
Among the leaders of the nationalist movement was Ho Chi Minh. In January of 1941 he returned to Vietnam, after his activities forced him to flee Indochina and spend several years in exile in the Soviet Union and China. Japan had seized control of the country. He organized a nationalist group called the Vietminh, which united Communists and non-Communists in the effort to expel the Japanese. -
Vietminh Take Back Dien Bien Phu
On May 7, 1954, the French forces fell to the Vietminh by a huge force surrounding Dien Bien Phu and bombarding the town. Before this the French seized the town and planned to cut the Vietminh’s supply lines and force them into open battle. However after the Vietminh ambush, it convinced the French to make peace and withdraw from Indochina. -
Geneva Accords
During the Geneva Accords, the french agreed to withdraw their troops from Northern Vietnam, however Vietnam would be divided at the 17th parallel, and within 2 years would hold elections to choose a new president for their country. -
The Ho Chi Minh Trail
North Vietnam sent arms and supplies south by way of a network of jungle paths known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. They needed supplies because Vietcong casualties mounted, so North Vietnam began sending North Vietnamese Army units to fight. -
Kennedy Becomes President
President John F. Kennedy was elected on November 8th, 1960, and when he was elected he continued to support South Vietnam, believing the country was vital in the battle against communism. He raised the military personnel in South Vietnam from 2,000 to 15,000. -
Using Napalm and Agent Orange
Napalm and Agent Orange were used to uncover hiding spots used by the Vietminh after facing too many casualties against their guerilla tactics. Napalm was a jellied gasoline that explodes when reaching the surface and Agent Orange was a chemical that stripped leaves from trees. Both were used starting from 1961. They were also called search and destroy tactics. -
The Overthrow of Diem
Generals launched a military coup, seizing power over Diem on November 1, 1963. Diem was a very unpopular ruler and American officials blamed him for their downfall. In the spring of 1963, he banned the traditional religious flags for the Buddha’s birthday. When Buddhists protested in the streets, Diem’s police killed nine people. In response to this, a Buddhist monk poured gasoline on his self and burned his self, horrifying Americans and other people or citizens. -
Kennedy's Death and The Election of Johnson
Johnson was elected right after Kennedy died on November 22, 1963. He also wanted to keep communism under control and feared that his presdiency would be at stake if Vietnam would be lost to it. However later in 1968, he left people shocked when he declared he wasn't going to run again for president. -
The Gulf of Tonkin
On August 2, 1964, Johnson announced that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had fired on two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Even though there was no proof to decide whether or not it was actually Vietnam that fired the torpedos, Johnson said the attack was unprovoked and orderered American aircraft to attack. -
The Gulf of Tolkin Resolution
On August 7, 1964, it passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which stated, “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Both the American public and Johnson’s advisers generally supported these actions but some disagreed with it. Undersecretary of State George Ball warned that if the United States got too involved, it would be difficult to get out.