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Japanese Occupation
Japan sweeps away French rule in Indochina. In Vietnam, it places Emperor Bao Dai in power, creating the illusion of an independent Vietnamese state. -
Democratic Republic of Vietnam Formed
Japan surrendered. Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with Hanoi as the capital and Ho Chi Minh as its president. No other countries acknowledged this government. -
American Involvement
Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey, head of American OSS mission, was killed by Vietminh troops while driving a jeep to the airport. Reports later indicated that his death was due to a case of mistaken identity -- he had been mistaken for a Frenchman. -
Bao Dai Returns
As a reward for his cooperation, the French allow Bao Dai to reclaim leadership of a nominally independent Vietnam, a position that France had denied to Ho Chi Minh two years prior. -
Military
The U.S. pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam. -
Eisenhower Rejects Troop Commitment
President Eisenhower refuses to commit American troops to the Franco-Vietnamese War. In a press conference he states, "I cannot conceive of a greater tragedy for America than to get heavily involved now in an all-out war in any of those regions." -
“Domino Theory” Coined
U.S. President Eisenhower referred to the so-called “Domino Theory” when talking about communism in Indochina in a news conference. If communism was successful in Indochina, he argued, it would spread to their neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Burma, Singapore, where there were large Communist movements at the time, very quickly like a domino effect. -
Nixon Supports Troop Commitment
In a speech before the press, Vice President Richard Nixon explains that "if to avoid further Communist expansion in Asia and Indochina we must take the risk now of putting our boys in, I think the Executive has to take the politically unpopular decision and do it." -
Vietnam Divided
France and Ho Chi Minh sign the Geneva Accords, in which Vietnam is to be divided at the seventeenth parallel until elections can be held in 1956 to reunify the country. The South Vietnamese government and the United States refuse to sign, though both promise to abide by the agreement. -
President
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
Ho Chi Minh Land Reforms
Ho Chi Minh, following the communist doctrine, orders sweeping "land reforms" in North Vietnam; thousands of people classified as landowners and wealthy farmers are imprisoned, tortured, or executed. In a mass exodus, many Vietnamese families flee and head to South Vietnam. -
Execution
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
First battle at Saigon
The First Battle of Saigon, was fought during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, was a coordinated attack by communist forces, including both the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, against Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. -
Last Americans Evacuate as Saigon Falls to Communists
South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh delivers an unconditional surrender to the Communists. North Vietnamese Colonel Bui Tin accepts the surrender and assures Minh that, "Only the Americans have been beaten. If you are patriots, consider this a moment of joy." As the few remaining Americans evacuate Saigon, the last two US servicemen in Vietnam are killed when their helicopter crashes. -
Communists Take Aim at Saigon
The North Vietnamese initiate the Ho Chi Minh Campaign -- a concerted effort to "liberate" Saigon. Under the command of General Dung, the NVA sets out to capture Saigon by late April, in advance of the rainy season -
