Preceding The Vietnam War

  • Establishment of the Viet Minh.

    Ho Chi Minh creates an independence movement to avoid French and Japanese occupation in Vietnam.
  • France Re-enters Vietnam

    Following WWII France reestablishes itself as an authority over Vietnam.
  • Cold War

    The beginning to an era of global tension between the US and Russia. Establishing America's disapproval of a communist government.
  • Truman's Foreign Policy

    The president states that it is the duty of the U.S.A. to assist countries under threat of communism.
  • People's Republic of China

    Mao Zedong creates the People's Republic of China following a civil war in the country.
  • Viet Minh Support

    Both The People's Republic of China and The Soviet Union assist the Viet Minh in combating their French occupants.
  • Start of US involvement

    The United States assists France in their battle against the Viet Minh after recognizing the situation as a communist threat.
  • Geneva Accords

    Following France's defeat at the hands of the Viet Minh, a series of accords establishes a border between north and south Vietnam known as the 17th parallel.
  • Ho Chi Minh Trail

    North Vietnam establishes a route into South Vietnam territory in order to support guerrilla attacks.
  • Agent Orange

    The US begins using the highly toxic herbicide known as Agent Orange on the 17th Parallel in order to remove cover for guerrilla forces.
  • Following the Buddhist Crisis

    After the Ngo Dinh Diem government opened fire on a group of Buddhists protesters, monks begin to kill themselves in public places in protest.
  • Loss of a President

    The US president, John F. Kennedy, is assassinated.
  • The USA enters the Vietnam War