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Ho Chi Minh is born.
Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader. He was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. He founded the Viet Minh and led North Vietnam. He was very important because he fought for Independence for Vietnam, and wanted to unite Vietnam under Communist rule. -
Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the U.S. recognize Vietnam as a seperate nation.
North Vietnam did not back down. They launched an attack against the French on December 19, 1945 in Hanoi. This is important because it marked the beginning of the first Indochina War. -
The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu.
The United States responded by slowly getting more involved. This is important because we were no longer trying to stay neutral. -
President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory."
The idea of the Domino Theory is if one nation falls to communism, more and more will follow. This is important because it motivates the U.S. to fight against North Vietnam in order to stop the spread of Communism. -
The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South.
The Geneva Accords Conference went from April 26th, 1954, to July 21st, 1954. The Geneva Accords separated the nation at its 17th parallel. This is important because it officially separated Vietnam, at least for the time being, and this led to conflict. -
Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in Vietnam.
He canceled them because he knew he would lose. Whether or not Vietnam would reunite (under Communist rule)is what was being voted on. This was important because it stopped Vietnam from reuniting. -
The National Liberation Front is formed.
It was also known as the Viet Cong. They occupied South Vietnam but acted against South Vietnam in support of the north. This was important because the would often launch surprise attacks on South Vietnamese cities and government officials. -
The United States withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam.
After the U.S. withdrew their support of Ngo Dinh Diem, due to his religious discrimination towards mainly Buddhists, he was assassinated by his generals. This was important because the leader of South Vietnam was dead, and someone new would soon come into power. -
A South Vietnamese Monk sets himself on fire.
The man was a Buddhist. He set fire to himself to get the world's attention about how badly Buddhists were being treated in South Vietnam. It was important because the U.S. took notice, and began to do something about Ngo Dinh Diem. -
President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.
If JFK had not been killed, it is likely the U.S. would have been less involved in Vietnam. JFK was trying to get out of Vietnam but LBJ took over and got the U.S. more involved. This was very important because if JFK was never killed we may have been way less involved in the war, and this would likely alter the course of history greatly. -
LBJ claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese.
The name of the ship was the U.S.S Maddox. LBJ's response was to use this as an excuse to get more involved in the war. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed, and this was important because it gave LBJ the power to get more involved in the war, without congress declaring war. -
The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam.
The U.S. first sent military advisors to Vietnam in September of 1950. This is important because the U.S. was involved in Vietnam, even before combat troops were sent.
