-
Ho Chi Minh is born
Ho Chi Minh went on to lead the Viet Minh independence movement. He was involved in defeating the French in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. Ho Chi Minh was the main conflint for the United States in the fight to contain communism during the Vietnam War. -
Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the United States recognize Vietnam as a separate nation
In reponse to their declaration of independence, North Vietnam launched an attack against the French in Hanoi on December 19, 1945–the beginning of the First Indochina War. This was the main cause of the Vietnam War, creating conflict with South Vietnam and the United States. -
President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory"
The "Domino Theory" was created in order to contain communism, to keep it from spreading to other countries. South Vietnam was important for the United States, in order to contain the communism in North Vietnam and keep the South from becoming communist. The "Domino Theory" was the purpose for the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War. -
The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu
After France is defeated at Dien Bien Phu, the United States decides to join the fight, on the side of South Vietnam. The anti-communist fight of the United States led to many years of warfare in Vietnam. This defeat of the French caused the United States to become involved in the Vietnam War. -
The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South
After the Geneva Accords split Vietnam into North and South, the nation was divided at the 17th parallel. Also, as part of the agreement, the French agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam. The Geneva Accords outlined the conflict in the Vietnam War of South Vietnam vs North Vietnam. -
Ngo Dinh Diem cancels elections in Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem knew that North Vietnam would not allow free elections and Ho Chi Minh would have most likely won the elections. The national election was for voting on the idea to unify the country, as called for in the Geneva Accords as well as Ngo Dinh Diem to become president of South Vietnam. This causes tensions and conflicts which were carried onto the Vietnam War. -
The National Liberation Front is formed
The National Liberation Front is also known as the Viet Cong. They occupied South Vietnam. Also, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh were located in North Vietnam. The Viet Cong were very important for the fight for South Vietnam to become communist in the Vietnam War. -
The United States withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam
At first, the United States decides to support Ngo Dinh Diem. However, Diem refused to work with the United States or establish any democratic insitutions. The United States then withdraws their support and Diem's generals assassinated him during a coup d’état. This caused a shift in the Vietnam War, with South Vietnam no longer having their president. -
A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire
The South Vietnamese monk, Thích Quang Duc, sets himself on fire on a busy street in Saigon. Thích Quang Duc belonged to the Buddhism religion. He did this in order to protest the persecution of Buddhists and the anti-Buddhist policies, by the South Vietnamese government. This event gives an insight into the lives of every Vietnamese person during the Vietnam War, showing that they may have been fighting for a certain side, but not always supporting their side as well. -
President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
If JFK was not assassinated, Vietnam would have been handled differently than LBJ's approach. Kennedy wanted to be out of Vietnam entirely by 1966 and he believed losing Vietnam to communism could lead to a loss of entire Southeast Asia. Also, JFK may have not of taken the same escalated approach, with many troops, like LBJ. He could have wanted to work out a negotiation, in order to attempt in neutralizing South Vietnam. The Vietnam war would of been very different, if JFK was not assassinated. -
President Johnson claims a U.S. ship had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese
The U.S. ship that had been fired upon by the North Vietnamese was the USS Maddox. The Golf of Tonkin Resolution was put into place in response to the attack on the USS Maddox. The Golf of Tonkin Resolution allowed the president to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression". This led to the United States to become more involved in the Vietnam War. -
The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam
Before the first combat troops arrived in Vietnam, the United States sent military advisors. The U.S. military advisory effort in Vietnam began in September 1950. The United States Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG), was also formed. This was important during the Vietnam War, as it was a sign of war by the United States, against North Vietnam.
