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French invades Vietnam
The French invaded Vietnam to make a colony. This was really hard for Vietnam because they weren't able to grow as a country. The French even decided to rename Vietnam to Indochina.
This invasion lasted from 1858 to 1884. -
Period: to
How It Went Down
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Indochinese Communist Party
Ho Chi Minh helps found the Indochinese Communist Party. -
Japanese Invasion
Japan decides to invade Vietnam. Vietnam is about to be on its breaking point because other countries just want to push them around. -
Viet Minh
Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam). -
Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. -
Military Advisors
The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China. -
U.S. Asks for Military Aid
The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. -
North and South Vietnam Created
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. -
Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
Viet Cong Established
The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam. -
South Vietnam President
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 (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
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 (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
U.S. Troops Go Vietnam
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
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. -
Mai Lai Massacre
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. -
Replacement by General C.A.
General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. -
More U.S. Troops Enter Vietnam
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000 -
Ho Ch Minh Dies
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79. -
U.S. Troop Withdrawal
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. -
Public Knows About Mai Lai Massacre
The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre. -
U.S. Troops enter Cambodia
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Pentagon Paper
Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times. -
North Vietnam Crosses DMZ
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 Accord
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
Troops Come Home
The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.
