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Recognition of different governments
Communist nations recognize Hanoi-based communist government, while non-communist nations recognize the French-backed government in Saigon -
Assiting of Viet Minh
China (the People's Republic of China) being assisting the Viet Minh, transforming it into a guerilla army. By September of the same year, the United States begin assisting the French and French-backed Saigon government. -
Dien Bien Phu
Viet Minh forces win a decisive victory at Dien Bien Phu, marking the end of French colonial involvement in Vietnam - leading to the end of their involvement in Indochina. -
Geneva Conference
The end of the Geneva Conference, which was convened. among other things, to find a solution to the problems in Vietnam. It divided the country between the Viet Minh-controlled North, and the Saigon controlled South. It provided proviions for a unifying election in 1956, This agreement was rejected by both the US and by South Vietnam. The country was thus divided at the 17th parallel. -
Ngo Dinh Diem's election
Ngo Dinh Diem, a Roman Catholic political puppet of the United States, rigs his election and becomes the president of the Republic of Vietnam. -
Viet Cong
In December of 1960, the National Liberation Front, commonly known at the Viet Cong, was formed with the intent of forcing a withdrawal of American forces -
Diem's Assassination
Diem is assassinated in a coup, thrusting South Vietnam into a period of political instability. -
Tonkin Gulf incident
An event, the details of which are unclear, involving a skirmish between the USS Maddox and Vietnamese naval forces prompt the Tonkin Gulf Resolution in August 5th, which gave President Johnson the power to wage war in Southeast Asia without Congressional permission. -
Official start of ground war
3,500 Marines dispatched to South Vietnam, officially signalling the beginning of a ground war in Vietnam. Escalated to over 200,000 by December. -
Tet Offensive
A massive, coordinated attack by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong on American and allied forces, including attacks on General Westmoreland's headquarters in Saigon. The event rocked public perception of the progress of the war and the success of the American effort. -
Clandestine wars in Cambodia and Laos
Although there is no definite date, near the end of 1969 President Nixon santioned bombing attacks on ARVN and NLF forces in Cambodia and Laos. -
Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers, published in the New York Times, depicted various public deceptions, taking public support of the war and fueling the anti-war movement on the homefront. -
Failure of peace talks
During the 1972 presidential election, Kissenger negotiated a peace wth North Vietnam, after which the president of North Vietnam demanded major changes. In response, Nixon launched Operation Linebacker II in December of 1972, a bombing campaign that leveled the economic and industrial capability of the country. -
Paris Peace Accords
Officially ending U.S. direct involvement in Vietnam. -
Fall of Saigon
Saigon falls to North Vietnamese Army