-
Ho Chi Minh is born
Hồ Chí Minh led the Việt Minh independence movement from 1941 to 1965, establishing the Communist-ruled Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 and defeating the French Union in 1954 at the battle of Điện Biên Phủ. He stepped down from power in 1965 due to health problems. This is important because he was a hero to the Vietnamese. -
Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the United States recognize Vietnam as a separate nation
North Vietnam responds to this. French now occupied North Vietnam. This is important because The U.S. and France didn't know they were now separated and created much confusion. -
The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam
The U.S. military advisory effort in Vietnam had a modest beginning in September 1950, when the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG), Vietnam, was established in Saigon. This was important because this increases U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. -
The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South
Vietnam divided into North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. This was important because it established North and South Vietnam and the 17th parallel. -
The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu
The United State's response to the defeat of the French was the rise of the United State's involvement in Vietnam. This was important because the U.S. didn't want involvement in the war in the first place. -
President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory"
The domino theory is when if one nation falls because of communism, all the nations around them will fall, too. This is important because all of Europe and everyone around them will fall. -
Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem cancelled the elections because he knew mostly everyone was voting for or going to vote for Ho Chi Minh. This was important because that isn't how to solve an election that's not going toward him. There isn't a way to solve that. -
The National Liberation Front is formed
The National Liberation Front was also known as Viet Cong. They occupied North Vietnam. This was important because North Vietnamese were now in control -
A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire
He was a Mahayana Buddhist. He did it because he knew he was going to die anyways during the war. This is important because he could have lived. -
President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
The U.S. might not have got involved in the Vietnam War if JFK hadn't gotten assassinated. This was important because the 35th president of the United Sates died, putting a Democrat into the control of the U.S. -
President Johnson claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese
The North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack the U.S. destroyer USS Maddox. Because of President Johnson's claims, the United States Congress issued the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This proclamation authorized him to retaliate for the alleged attacks. The resolution allowed the president "to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom." -
The U.S. withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam
After U.S. withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem and South Vietnam, he was assassinated. This was important because South Vietnamese had no one to control them.
