The Vietnam War

Pre-Vietnam War

Oct 12, 1887

Fighting rules the country of Vietnam between its people and the French.

Start of Ho Chi Minh

Jan 13, 1941

Ho Chi Minh, a political power, goes underground and creates the Viet Minh to fight against the French, gaining a lot of supporters and attention.

Independent Vietnam

Sep 2, 1945

Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh create an independent Vietnam featuring the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, their new government.

"Domino Theory"

Sep 2, 1945

To fight against communism and the "Domino Theory" the United States allies the the French, supporting them with military and financial aid.

Geneva Conference of 1954

Apr 26, 1954

Nations meet and create the Geneva Accords. This stated that there would be a ceasefire for the French to move out peacefully and that Vietnam would be divided by the 17th parallel (creating a communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam).

Dien Bien Phu

May 7, 1954

The French are defeated at the Dien Bien Phu and pull their control from Vietnam leaving the U.S. to finish what they started.

Attempt at Unification

Oct 26, 1955

A new election is brought to order to attempt to unify Vietnam under one government (not supported by the U.S.), Ngo Dinh Diem was elected in the south.

National Liberation Front

Dec 29, 1960

Communist supporters in Vietnam create the National Liberation Front (NFL) to fight the South Vietnamese using a tactic called guerilla warfare.

Coup for Diem

Nov 2, 1963

After political ruin and tarnishing the relationships made in South Vietnam, the United States supports a coup to kill Diem for good.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Aug 2, 1964

After U.S. sends additional advisors to South Vietnam, North Vietnam fires on two U.S. warships in international waters (known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

First Troops

Mar 8, 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson sends first U.S. troops to the ground in Vietnam.

A Limited War

May 13, 1965

The U.S. began a limited war in Vietnam which allowed the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the source of the Viet Cong's supplies, to go untarnished. Also prevented resources from going solely toward the fight in the North.

The Tet Offensive

Jan 30, 1968

The North and the Viet Minh put their resources and men together to attack Southern towns and villages, the U.S. fights against them (known as the Tet Offensive). This showed that the enemy was much stronger then they had anticipated.

Nixon and Vietnamization

Nov 5, 1968

Richard Nixon is name new United States President, he comes up with the idea of Vietnamization which would allow the U.S. to slowly withdraw from the Vietnam. Ultimately giving the fight back to the South.

Protests at Home

Jul 13, 1969

Troops begin withdrawing from Vietnam, President Nixon expands fighting to other nations (Laos and Cambodia). This causes unrest and protests in America.

The Demilitarized Zone is Crossed

Mar 30, 1972

North Vietnam crosses the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at 17th parallel for an attack. The U.S. uses the last of their troops to fight back.

Paris Peace Accords

Jan 27, 1973

At Paris Peace Accords an agreement for a ceasefire is produced.

Heading Home

Mar 29, 1973

The last U.S. troops are taken out of Vietnam, leaving a weak and un-resourced South Vietnam.

North Succeeds

Apr 30, 1975

After years of continued fighting the North makes one final push and the South surrenders to the communist Northern Vietnamese.

Communist Vietnam

Jul 2, 1976

Vietnam is officially banded communist Vietnam, under the new reign of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.