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Provisional government created
After Japan had surrendered to the allied forces the Viet Minh had the oppurtunity to grasp control of Vietnam. In Hanoi the commununist party of Vietnam converged to creat a provisional government and establish the democratic republic system. Afterwards they organized a large meeting to proclaim its independence to the citizens of Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh declares the independence of North Vietnam
Hoi Chi minh read the proclamation of independence for the democratic republic of Vietnam in Ba Dhin square to an audience of 500,000 people. This proclamation would challenge France's control of Vietnam since they hadn't been defeated yet. -
British forces land in Saigon, give back control to the French
British forces landed on vietnamese land because it didnt acknowledge its independence and believed it still belonged to France. Ho Chi Minh attempted to negotiate with the French which ended with him signing an agreement allowing the French forces to replace the Chinese nationalist forces in Vietnam, in exchange for French recognition of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Afterwards Britain left Vietnam in the hands of the French. -
The First Indochina War
This war was fought between the French and Vietminh forces. The Vietminh had launched a rebellion against the French authority controlling Vietnam. This war was the result of deteriorating relations between the French and Vietnamese. -
The Geneva convention begins
Delegates from nine countries met in Geneva, Switzerland hoping to find a way to restore peace in Vietnam. The Soviet Union, France, U.S.A, United kingdom, and various countries that took part in the Indochina war were present at the convention, This convention would prove to be a significant event in Vietnams history since it would result in the Geneva accord. -
Geneva conventions agreements.
The Geneva convention resulted in a ceasefire between the French and Vietnamese forces and the Geneva accords. The Geneva accords were documents that outlined a plan which would divide Vietnam into two until national elections in 1956. The majority of the delagates agreed except U.S.A and the Bao dai government. This later on proved to be a fatal mistake because it would allow Ngo Dinh Diem, the new president of south Vietnam, to renege on unification since Vietnam didn't sign it themselves. -
Dien Bien Phu
The battle of Dien Bien Phu had taken place during the Geneva convention in Switzerland. This battle would mark the end of the Indochina war. The battle culminated in a defeat for the French. This victory came as a suprise and was won by the Vietminh mainly due to the blunders made by French generals. The battle ended around the same time as the Geneva convention but the Geneva accords would indirectly cause an even bigger civil war later on. -
1955 State of Vietnam referendum
To decide who would lead south Vietnam a referendum was held. the people participating in this were Ngo Dinh Diem and Bao Dai. With both parties campaign under way Ngo Dinh Diem started slandering Bao Dai's name in any way possible. When the results of the referendum came in it was reported that Ngo Dinh Diem had won 98.2% of the vote. Later on it was revealed that the referendum was rigged by Ngo Dinh Diems brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu. The results made Ngo president and ensure the U.S influence. -
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Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail ran from North Vietnam to South Vietnam through the neighbouring countries of Cambodia and Laos. The trail provided the Vietcongs and North Vietnamese armies with support in the form of man power and materials. The trail ran for 1000 kilometres and served as a gateway into the south for north Vietnamese or Vietcong soldiers. A quote from the NSA sums up its usefulness for the Notrh Vietnamese cause "one of the great achievements of military engineering of the 20th century." -
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Operation Ranch hand - Agent Orange
The goal of Operation Ranch hand was to destroy the forests and rural parts of North Vietnam, because of this the geurilla forces would no longer have any place to hide in. Another reason was to ruin their food supply. With no crops to farm, farmers escaped to urban areas depriving the geurilla's of any support. Agent Orange was the most used herbicide in this operation. The after-effects of this consisted of multiple health problems and children born with birth defects, -
Assasination of Ngo Dinh Diem
Ngo Dinh Diem refused the conditions set by the Geneva accords and refused to participate in the nation wide elections. The U.S supported this move because they didn't want there to be a chance for a communist victory in the elections. Also the U.S wanted there influence to remain in Vietnam through Ngo Dinh Diem. Although he was backed by U.S he was later assainated in a coup led by the C.I.A. This was done because of his un-popular image and ruthless tactics. -
Gulf of Tonkin incident
On this day it was reported that North Vietnamese forces had twice attacked american destroyers in the gulf of Tonkin. It turns out that the Norths navy never attacked those two destroyers. it was an error made by the sonar men who reported enemies were in the area. Even with all the evidence that the North never attacked the U.S governement used this as a pre-text to pass the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution was passed by congress in response to the alleged sea battle that took place between the U.S and North Vietnamese navy. The bill gave Lyndon B. Johnson authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress, for the use of military force in Southeast Asia. This is of historical significance because it is common rule in war for there to be a declaration which the U.S never did. this would foreshadow the Vietnam war. -
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Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was an aerial bombardment campaign by South Vietnam and the U.S againt North Vietnam. The goal of this campaign was to boost morale, end North Vietnams support for communist insurgency in sout Vietnam, destroy their resources and stop any more vietcongs from enetring the South. This was the most intense and most difficult air/grounds battle waged in the Cold war period. -
The Tet Offensive
The Tet offensive was a military campaign launched by the Vietcong's against the South and allied forces. The purpose of this operation was to utilize the element of surprise to attack over 36 of the 44 provincial capitals and well over 100 cities. The South and the Allies were suprised because a day befaore a a tawo day cease-fire had been announced to clebrate the lunar new year. The attack shocked the U.S government who thought the communists were incapable of such attacks. -
The My Lai Massacre
The My Lai massacre was the killing of 350-500 people in South Vietnam by "Charlie" Company of 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the Americal Division. 26 soldiers were charged and only one was convicted. The impact this had on the American public was huge. The oppsotion to U.S involvement in the Vietnam war increased exponentially after the public heard the news. -
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Vietnamization
Vietnamiztion was a policy implemented by the Richard Nixon administration. The policy's goal was to train South Vietnams soldiers so that the U.S ground troops weren't necessary anymore. The other goal was to mantain peace in Vietnam. This policy was effective in getting soldiers out of Vietnam since they weren't needed anymore. Although air support was still available from U.S. -
The fall of Saigon
On april 30, 1975 the Peoples army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front captured Saigon, the captial oof South Vietnam. This marked theend of the Vietnam war and the start of a period where Vietnam woud unify into a communist state. This resulted in one of the largest evacuation mission ever, called operation frequent wind. Hundreds of thousands of people tied to the South's regime fled Vietnam thanks to the U.S air force.
