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Ho Chi Minh is Born
Ho Chi Minh went on to be the first leader of the Vietnamese Communist Party. This is important because he played a key role in the conflicts in Vietnam by organizing the Viet Cong. -
Vietnam Declares Independence from France, but Neither France Nor the United States Recognize Vietnam as a Separate Nation
North Vietnam responded to the French and the United States failing to recognize them as a separate nation by launching an attack against the French in Hanoi on December 19, 1945. This is important to the war because it increased tensions and showed that Vietnam was willing to fight. -
The Geneva Accords Cause Vietnam to be split into North and South
The nation was divided at the 17th parallel. This is significant to the war because the war was between North and South Vietnam. If Vietnam had not been divided the war would have been a lot different. -
President Eisenhower Declares "Domino Theory"
"Domino Theory" was an expression of the importance of keeping close ties South Vietnam. The idea was meant to convince people that if the United States let Vietnam be taken over by communism then the rest of the world would slowly come closer to being communist as well. The "domino theory" is important because it caused fear and raised tensions for war. -
The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh Defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu
The U.S. responded to the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu by increasing Military aid to South Vietnam and sending the first military advisors to the country in 1959. This is important because it marked the start of increased military involvement in Vietnam. -
Ngo Dinh Diem Cancels Elections in Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem decided to cancel the elections because he knew that Ho Chi Minh would win. The elections were being held to try to unify Vietnam and choose a leader. This is important to the war because it angered North Vietnam who wanted to unite the country and have Ho Chi Minh be in charge. -
The National Liberation Front is Formed
The National Liberation Front was known as the "Viet Cong." The National Liberation Front occupied South Vietnam and were sent from the North. This event is important to the war because the National Liberation Front was created to try to overthrow South Vietnam during the war and reunite Vietnam. -
A South Vietnamese Monk Sets Himself On Fire
The South Vietnamese monk was a Buddhist. He set himself on fire as an act of protest over discrimination towards Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government. This is important because it caused people to dislike Ngo Dinh Diem and demonstrated how there were not just problems between North and South Vietnam but there was also internal problems in South Vietnam. -
The United States Withdraws Support of Ngo Dinh Diem, Leader of South Vietnam
Diem was assassinated in November 1963 by a group of South Vietnamese generals after he lost support from the United States. This is important because the one leader the United States chose to support in South Vietnam ended up doing things completely different from what the United States wanted. -
President Kennedy is Assassinated, Leading to the Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
The troops in Vietnam may have been removed a lot sooner if Kennedy lived. Under Johnson's control the soldiers were there too long and lots of damage came as a result. -
President Johnson Claims a U.S. Ship Had Been Fired Upon by the North Vietnamese
The name of the ship that had supposedly been fired upon was the USS Maddox. In response to the news of this event, several Americans were motivated to go to war in Vietnam. This event is important because it increased tensions between Vietnam and the United States. -
The First Combat Troops Arrive in Vietnam
The United States first sent military advisors to Vietnam in September 1950. They were sent to assist the French which may have caused some tension between Vietnam and the United States which would eventually lead to a war.
