The Vietnam War

Japan occupies Vietnam

Sep 4, 1940

During World War II Japan invades Vietnam, which was then a French Colony. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Ho Chi Minh establishes the League for the Independence of Vietnam

May 4, 1941

This is created to fight against both the Japanese and French who were claiming the territory. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Sep 2, 1945

Vietnam Decalares its independence from France. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

U.S. Pledges Support for France

Jul 4, 1950

The U.S. government pledges $15 million in financial support, continuing the tradition of allies. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Ho Chi Minh and company defeat French Forces

May 7, 1954

The French are defeated at the battle of Dien bien Phu. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Geneva Accords

Jul 4, 1954

French withdraw and Vietnam is split into North and South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

South Vietnam: The Republic of Vietnam

Oct 26, 1955

South Vietnam elects a new president (Ngo Dinh Diem) and declares itself the Republic of Vietnam References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

1960: Vietcong established in South Vietnam

Dec 20, 1960

The Vietcong were mostly communist supporters of North Vietnam. Adamantly opposed to the South Vietnamese President Diem. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Continued Military Support for South Vietnam

Dec 4, 1961

President Kennedy military advisors and equipment to aide South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Diem exectuted in a Coup

Nov 2, 1963

Killed by his own generals (three weeks before Kennedy was assassinated). References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Gulf of Tokin Incedent

Aug 2, 1964

Two U.S. destroyers were attacked by torpedo boats from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Operation Rolling Thunder

Mar 8, 1965

U.S. begins bombing raids of North Vietnam U.S. troops arrive in Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Nearly 500,000 U.S. Troops stationed in Vietnam

Nov 4, 1967

15,000 casualties
100,000 wounded References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

North Vietnamese and Vietcong break a cease fire and attack cities and towns in South Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

FIrst Troop WIthdrawals

Jul 4, 1969

President Nixon begins scaling back troops. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79

Sep 3, 1969

References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Paris Peace Accords

Jan 27, 1973

A cease fire is created. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Last U.S. Troops are withdrwn

Mar 29, 1973

References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

South Vietnam Surrenders

Apr 30, 1975

After many attacks and waning support, South Vietnam surrenders to the communists North. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.

Vietnam unifies as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Jul 2, 1976

The war is over. As casualties go, the U.S. and South Vietnam had the advantage. In the end, North Vietnam and the Vietcong met their goals, drove the U.S. out and United Vietnam. References: PBS Online. (2016, February 3). Battlefield Vietnam: Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/timeline/. Rosenburg, J. (2014, December 16). Vietnam War Timeline. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/vietnamwar/a/vietnamtimeline.htm.