Vietnam

By Mara Sandlewick

  • Ho Chi MInh is born.

    Ho Chi MInh is born.
    He was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader who was Chairman and First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Vietnam. Later he was Prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic.

  • President Johnson claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese

    President Johnson claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese
    The U.S.S Maine was fired on.

  • Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the United States recognize Vietnam as a separate nation.

    Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the United States recognize Vietnam as a separate nation.
    Vietnam is unhappy, they want to be a free nation. They want to separate from the others.

  • The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

    The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam.
    The U.S. military advisors were sent in September of 1950. Vietnam had a modest beginning.

  • The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South.

    The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South.
    The 38th parallel. The Americans controlled the South of the line. The Russians installed a communist regime in the North.

  • The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu.

    The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu.
    The United States responds by taking over the anit-communist flight. This resulted in 20 more years of warfare in Vietnam.

  • Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in Vietnam.

    Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in Vietnam.
    Ngo Dinh Diem cancelled elections because he realized if he kept elections, Ho Chi Minh would most likely win. They were voting on putting Vietnam under the Communist banner.

  • President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory."

    President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory."
    The domino theory justified it's involvement in the Vietnam war. Also its support for a non-communist dictator in South Vietnam.

  • The National Liberation Front is formed.

    The National Liberation Front is formed.
    This was originally called the National Front for the Liberation of the South. They occupied Greece.

  • A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire.

    A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire.
    This Vietnamese was a buddhist. He sacrificed himself because he was protesting the persecution of Buddhists.

  • The Unites States withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam.

    The Unites States withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam.
    Diem refused to make any meaningful concessions or any new reforms. Diem was assassinated.

  • President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

    President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
    If Kennedy had not been assassinated the war may not have been as escalated. Kennedy's successor Lyndon B. Johnson made it a big deal.