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Ho Chi Minh is born
Later became the ruler of the communist North Vietnam. Led North Vietnam during the war and helped remove French rule from the country. -
Vietnam Declares Independence from France
Neither France nor the U.S recognized them as an independent country. This led Minh to leave and become a communist and decide to use force to push the French out of Vietnam. -
Vietnam Splits into the North and South
After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu they signed and independence agreement. Vietnam was split by the 17th parallel.They were split due to communist rule in the north and a republic in the south. -
Declaration of Domino Theory
States that if a country falls to communism than the other countries around them would fall as well until communism rules the world. The U.S believed they could stop communism if they saved Vietnam from becoming one and contain it. -
Viet Minh defeat the French
Ended the French rule in Vietnam. Resulted in Vietnam being split into the north and south by the 17th parallel. Allowed for America continuing their Anti-Communist crusade and slowly join the fight. -
Diem Cancels Elections
Diem knew he would lose so he canceled the elections to prevent Vietnam from becoming a communist country. They were voting on reunification of the two halves of Vietnam. -
National Liberation Front is formed
Became known as the Viet Cong. Was a force for the North that had its headquarters in south Vietnam. Acted like citizens before attacking. -
South Vietnamese Monk Sets Himself on Fire
Attempted to fight the oppression of the Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. Caused the U.S to withdraw support for Diem. The man was a Buddhist. -
U.S revokes support of Ngo Dinh Diem
Diem went on crusades and targeted Buddhists which angered the U.S. He was soon assassinated during a coup. -
JFK is assassinated leading to the presidency of LBJ
Leads to larger involvement in Vietnam. It is believed that if JFK had continued to serve he would have pulled troops from Vietnam. -
LBJ claims a U.S ship was fired upon by North Vietnam.
Claimed that the North Vietnamese fired upon the USS Maddox. Led to the United States sending more troops to Vietnam. LBJ has a bill passed to allow the U.S to send troops without declaring war. -
First Combat Troops Arrive in Vietnam
3500 marines land to defend the American air base of Da Nang. Military advisers were sent to Vietnam in September of 1950.
