-
France Loses the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
France had ruled Vietnam since the end of World War 2, but they were defeated soundly at Dien Bien Phu by the Viet Minh, a Vietnamese communist nationalist group led by Ho Chi Minh. This loss forced them to withdraw from Vietnam. -
Geneva Accords Are Signed
The Geneva Accords specified that Vietnam would effectiely be split in two, with the north controlled by the Viet Minh and the south controlled by the U.S.-backed State of Vietnam. Nationwide lections would be held in 1956 to unify the country again. -
The Government of the Republic of Vietnam is Created
Ngo Dinh Diem, the U.S.-installed leader of South Vietnam, declares himself the President of a new nation, the Government of the Republic of Vietnam (GVN) with massive amounts of American backing. -
The Communist Party Approves Military Action
From 1956 to 1959 North attempted to unify the country by putting political pressure on Diem, but Diem passed oppressive laws making it legal to detain anyone suspected of being communist, damaging the Communist Party's infrastructure. The Party finally decided they would "liberate" South Vietnam through violent means. -
National Liberation Front is Formed
The National Liberation Front (NLF, often referred to derogatorily as the Viet Cong) was the new name for the communist party in North Vietnam. -
The White Paper
U.S. President John F. Kennedy dispatched advisors to South Vietnam. They returned to him with The White Paper, which advised large-scale military buildup in Vietnam. Kennedy was torn, as other advisors recommended he pull out completely. -
Diem is Overthrown
Diem's brother, Ngo Dinh Nhu, accused Buddhist Monks of harboring communists and raided their temples. Many monks self-immolated in protest, bringing support for Diem to an all-time low. Diem's own Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) captured and killed him and Nhu with U.S. approval. -
President Kennedy is Assassinated
Kennedy, who had been supporting South Vietnam economically and militarilly but hesistant to send American troops, was killed in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald. His Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson, became President. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Passes
In the Gulf of Tonkin, the USS Maddox was attacked by North Vietnamese Troops, prompting congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave Johnson power to do anything necessary to defeat threats to the U.S. -
The Tet Offensive
The NLF, believing that the U.S. was tired of war, launched huge attacks on major Southern cities, the Tet Offensive. They suffered heavy casualties but forced U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson into seeking an end to the War. -
Richard Nixon is Elected President
Richard Nixon was elected as U.S. President after Johnson decided not to seek reelection. Part of his platform was a secret plan to end the war called "Vietnamization". -
The Kent State Shooting
The War was unpopular among U.S. citizens. The internal conflict came to a head at Kent State, when members of the National Guard fired into a group of student protestors, killing four. -
Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam
The U.S., North Vietnam, and South Vietnam sign the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet-Nam, but fighting does not stop for two more years. -
Saigon Falls to the North
South Vietnamese troops surrendered unconditionally to NVA troops. -
Vietnam Officially Becomes the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
The capital of the new country was Hanoi, while Saigon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City.
