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Ho Chi Minh
In 1941, a vietnamese communist, Ho Chi Minh, drew on that history to stir up nationalist feelings. -
declared independence
On September 2, 1945, the same day that japan formally surrendered to the allies, Vietnam declared its independence. -
french warships opened fire on Haiphong
In November 1946, French warships opened fire on the port city of Haiphong, killing some 6,000 vietnamese civilians -
dying in korea
By 1951, thousands of U.S. soldiers had already died in Korea trying to halt the spread of communism. -
foreign aid
By 1954, the United States was paying 80 percent of the cost of the war in Indochina. -
battle of the war
The decisive battle of the war began in March 1954, when the Viet Minh launched a surprise attack on a large French military base at Dien Bien Phu, in the mountains of northern Vietnam -
Geneva Accords
In July 1954 the French and Viet Minh signed the Geneva Accords -
overran French base
On May 7, 1954, the Viet Minh finally overran the French base, ending the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and shattering French moral. -
Ngo Dinh Diem is in charge
In 1955, the United States used its influence to put an anticommunist South Vietnamese leader, Ngo Dinh Diem, in charge -
National Liberation Front
In 1960, the Viet Minh formed a group called National Liberation Front and invited all opponets of Diem to join -
Kennedy became president
Kennedy became president in 1961, he sent an inspection team to South Vietnam to evaluate the situation