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Ho Chi Minh Declares an Independant Vietnam
Ho CHi Minh declares Vietnam to be independant from French rule, and establishes it as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This is important because this was the catalyst to the Vietnam War. -
France Recognizes the DRV as Free State...
France decided to recognize the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as a free state in the French Union, which still maintained French rule. This was important becasue it acted as fuel to the fire, enraging the Vietnamese against the French. This was the catalyst to the first Indochina war in December. The war lasted 8 years. -
China backs the Viet Minh
China backs the Viet Minh with military strategists and weapons. This is important because it drew alliances, thus pushing the United States into becoming an ally of France. -
US backs France
The United States invests $15 Million dollars into aiding France with the war efforts against Vietnam. This is important because it was the first monetary invvolvement in the Vietnam War. -
Ceasefire reached between France and Vietnam
A ceasefire is reached through the Geneva Accords, so the French can withdraw from Vietnam. There is also a border between North and South Vietnam created. This is important because it separated North and South Vietnam, thus instigating the creation of the Viet Cong. -
South Vietnam declared as Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam is declared as the Republic of Vietnam, under the relatively new president, Ngo Dinh Diem. This is important because it is the first public show is difference between North and South Vietnam. -
Viet Cong is Established
The Viet Cong is established, or as more officially called the National Liberation Front. This is important because this created the largest aggressor in the Vietnam War. -
Ngo Dinh Diem is Executed
Ngo Dinh Diem, the president of South Vietnam, is executed. This was important because it was a shock to South Vietnam, and ended the dictators reign in South Vietnam. -
Gulf Of Tonkin Incident
The North Vietnamese launch an attack on two U.S. owned destroyer ships in international waters. This is important because it is the first attack on United States forces. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
After the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was passed, the U.S. enacted a bombing of North Korea by planes called Operation Rolling Thunder. This is important because it was the first U.S. offensive strike of the Vietnam War. -
First United States Forces Arrive in Vietnam
The first U.S. troops are inserted into Vietnam. This is iportat because this was the first direct offensive by the United States, after Operation Rolling Thunder six days before. -
Tet Offensive is Enacted
The Tet Offensive was enacted, with the North Vietnamese forces and the Viet Cong attacking cities in South Vietnam, trying to get the upperhand on the South Vietnamese forces. This is important because it set in effect a large skirmish that would involve the Viet Cong, the Northern Vietnamese forces, the South Vietnamese forces and the U.S. forces. This heightened the unrest in the United States about the war. -
Attack on Mai Lai
The U.S. forces launch a massacre in the city of Mai Lai. The U.S. troops kill hundreds of Vietnamese citizens. This was important because this caused an uproar in America and across the world, and thus started the retraction of many troops from Vietnam. -
President Nixon Orders Troop Withdrawals
President Richard Nixon started the withdrawals of U.S. troops from Vietnam. This was important because it started the end of the Vietnam War. -
Ho Chi Minh Dies
Communist leader and the leader of the communist revolution in Vietnam dies. This was important because it was the end of the Minh led communist party in Vietnam. -
President Nixon Orders Troops to Cambodia
President Nixon ordered troops to attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This was important because it caused national outrage and sparked major protests in the United States. -
Easter Offensive is Enacted
The Easter Offensive is when the North Vietnamese forces dross the demilitarized zone, and attacked the South Vietnamese forces. This is important because it is the first major crossing and attack over the demilitarized zone. -
Paris Peace Accord is Reached
The Paris Peace Accord is reached. This called for a cease fire in Vietnam and Cambodia, and ordered the United States to withdraw from the war and all parties release prisoners of war. This is impotant because it ended the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War -
Final US Troops Removed from Vietnam
This marked the end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War when the last of the United States troops were removed from Vietnam. The importance with this is because it finally ended the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. -
North Vietnam Enacts Offensive on South Vietnam
The Northern Vietnamese army attacked South Vietnam in an attempt to take control of Vietnam. The importance of this is that this started the North Vietnamese dominance. -
South Vietnam Surrenders
The Northern Vietnamese forces force a surrender by South Vietnam. This is important because it ended the Vietnam War. -
North and South Vietnam Unify
On this day, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is formed. This was the unification of the North Vietnamese with the defeated South Vietnamese. This was important because it unified Vietnam and finally ended the Vietnam War for good.
