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French Invasion
France establishes colonization of Vietnam called Indochina -
Ho Chi Minh helps found Communist Party
Ho Chi Minh helps found Communist Party -
Japan Invades Vietnam
Japan invades Vietnam -
Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh
(League for the Independence of Vietnam) -
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam
(The Democratic Republic of Vietnam) -
The Viet Minh are aided by China
China provides military advisors and weapons -
United States support French in war against Vietnam
The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam. -
Vietnam claims victory over France
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. -
Geneva Accords declares peace for French withdrawal
The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. -
South Vietnam = Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
Period: to
Vietnam War
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National Liberation Front (Viet Cong)
The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam. -
Execution of President Ngo Dinh Diem
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins -
U.S. Arrival
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
North Vietnamese + VC = Tet Offensive
The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns. -
Massacre at Mai Lai
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. -
General Westmoreland replaced by Abrams
General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. -
U.S. troops climb in numbers
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000 -
First of many troop withdrawals
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. -
Death of Ho Chi Minh
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79. -
Public becomes aware of Mai Lai Massacre
The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre. -
Nixon declares attacks on Cambodia
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Pentagon Papers leaked
Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times. -
Easter Offensive
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive. -
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
U.S. officially pulls out
The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam. -
North Vietnam hits South Vietnam with full power
North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam. -
South Vietnam surrenders
South Vietnam surrenders to the communists. -
Vietnam = unified Communist Party
Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. -
Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated.
