-
Ho Chi Minh is Born
Ho Chi Minh would go on to fight to free Vietnam from french control. This is important because the Vietnam war was a huge event in the cold war. -
Vietnam declare independence from France, but neither France nor the United States recognized Vietnam as a separate nation.
After the Japanese surrendered, ending World War II Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent. When this was not recognized North Vietnam began fighting the French controlled South. -
President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory"
The domino theory meant that if one country fell to communism then others would follow suit. In relation to Vietnam, if communists were successful in taking Vietnam then nearby countries like Laos or Cambodia would become communist as well. -
The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu
The French loss signaled the end of their colonial influence over Vietnam. The U.S. responded to the defeat my increasing their military presence in Vietnam -
The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South
Vietnam was split into Communist North Vietnam and Democratic South Vietnam. The country was split at the 17th parallel. -
Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in vietnam
Diem canceled the elections in fear that Ho Chi Minh would win the election. This election was for the leader of a unified Vietnam. -
Th National Liberation Front is formed
Also known as the Vietcong. They were a communist group fighting for liberation based in the South. -
The United States withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam
The United States no longer believed in supporting the South Vietnam leader. Not much later, he was killed by a coup. -
A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire.
A Buddhist monk set himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists in South Vietnam. The persecution was done by the Diem government who favored Catholics. -
President Kennedy Is Assassinated
Kennedy's assassination was very important because it led to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. Vietnam may have been handled differently if JFK had lived by not having Johnson escalate involvement in the war. -
President Johnson claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese
The destroyer USS Maddox was allegedly fired upon by North Vietnamese ships. This is important because it led to the full scale involvement of the U.S. in the war. -
The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam
This event was important because it was the U.S. getting fully involved in the war. The U.S. first sent military advisers to Vietnam in September of 1950.