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Period: to
The Vietnam War
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Teh First Indochina War begins, as the Viet Minh begin fighting against French colonial rule.
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China begins providing Vietnamese weapons, In response the United States pledges $15 million in mulitary aid to France
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The Viet Minh defeat the French army in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, forcing the surrender of most of the occupying troops.
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The U.S. military begins training South Vietnamese forces.
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Communist guerillas begin an insurgency in South Vietnam, assassinating more than 400 South Vietnamese officials
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North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces launch an attack on one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.
Within days, U.S. forces recapture most areas. The “Tet Offensive” is a military defeat for Communists, but is a political victory, as Americans begin questioning the U.S. military’s conduct of the war. -
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what will be known as the Easter Offensive.
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North Vietnam announces a renewal of the war.
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South Vietnam Surrenders to Communist forces