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Becoming Indochina
Vietnam becomes Indochina, which is a French Colony. -
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Ho Chi Minh Forms Communist Party
Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist Party -
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Japan Invades
Vietnam is invaded by Japan -
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Japan Surrenders
Japan surrenders to Allies, Ho Chi Minh states Vietnam as independant, the DR of Vietnam. France asserts authority once again. -
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First Indochinese War
Viet Minh begins fighting against French authority. Over time they developed from a small guerilla band into a well-organized and equipped army. -
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Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Viets defeat the French army and forced them to surrender. On July 21st they signed the Geneva Accord, which lead to the French leaving Southeast Asia without conflict. Vietnam is divided by the 17th parallel until the election of 1956. -
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Communism Rising
Communist guerillas in South Vietnam assassinated more than 400 officials in South Vietnam. Diem tries to silent protests, but Buddhist monks set themselves on fire in public eyes, in response to protest in attempt to overthrow and execute Diem. -
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Sustained Bombing
U.S starts to sustain bomb North Vietnam, in Operation Rolling Thunder. This will continue for 3 years. -
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Mai Lai massacre
U.S soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in Mai Lai. By December, U.S troop count in Vietnam reaches 540,000. -
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Vietnamization and Downfall
U.S gradually shifts war burden to South Vietnam. On November 3rd, Ho Chi Minh dies. -
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No War and More War
U.S Troops leave Vietnam Vietnam extends the War. -
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A Socialist Republic
Vietnam unified under Communist rule as Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The new government imprisoned anyone who hadn association with the previous regime (over 1 million imprisioned). Vietnamese refugees fled in boats hoping to reach other countries. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington D.C.