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December 1920, the French Communist Party was formed with Ho Chi Minh as one founder member, and visited Soviet Union. His goal was to return to his own country and gain independence. He knew if he returned to Vietnam, he would be arrested by French authorities, so he lived in China along the Vietnam border organizing other exiled nationalists.
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In 1930, Ho Chi Minh created provisions for the Indochinese Communist Party to overthrow the French and establish Vietnamese independence. Prior to the party, he tried for many years to end French opression over Vietnam.
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In 1941, Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam to form the nationalist organization Viet Minh. The communist activist leader and his men allied with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services to force out the Japanese who occupied Vietnam during World War II.
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In 1945, the Japanese surrendered and gave up their reign over Indochina. Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnamese independence, making himself President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
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In 1949, France convinces the U.S. that the Vietminh's resistance to colonial rule was due to their communist views, and a part of their overall plan for communism to rule the world. The U.S. agreed to support them and give them military aid.
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In 1950, the French relinquished their direct control over Vietnam, and instead handed it over to Bao Dai. The U.S. recognized Bao Dai's South Vietnam government, but the Vietnamese people never accepted his rule. The Vietminh continued fighting back for independence.
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On January 20, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States. To prevent a communist victory, he greatly increased U.S. military aid to the French in Vietnam and supported their campaign against the Vietminh. Eisenhower justified involvement in Vietnam with his 'Domino Theory' by saying a Communist Victory would result in surrounding countries falling one after another.
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In 1954, the U.S. grew tired of helping the French who were losing their control, so they helped Ngo Dinh Diem become President of South Vietnam. He was protected from being overthrown by American forces, and given money to create a miliant system of government to control opposition.
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On May 7,1954, the French were defeated by the Vietminh at Dien Bien Phu and lost colonial control over Vietnam. After an 8 year struggle against the Vietminh, France completely withdrew from Vietnam.
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By the early 1960's, the Viet Cong, southern communists, began a campaign to overthrow the Southern government. North Vietnamese and the Vietcong used guerilla tactics, and attacked Americans by surprise.
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By December 1961, the Vietcong control most of the countryside in South Vietnam, frequently ambushing the Southern troops. President Kennedy decidedto send military advisors, along with American helicopters to direct Southern troops in battle and transport them, further involving Americans in combat.
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During the summer of 1963, Buddhist demonstrations spread and several monks in South Vietnam burned themselves alive protesting the oppression of the Diem administration. President Kennedy and the American public were shocked, but Diem was not phased at all by this.
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In 1963, the Kennedy Administration realized that Diem would never accomplish American goals in Vietnam. The CIA gave South Vietnamese generals money to overthrow Diem, and he was later assassinated.
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On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy is assassinated. Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in and becomes the fourth president having to deal with Vietnam. By the end of 1963, South Vietnam received $500 million in U.S. aid.
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On August 7, 1964, U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowing President Johnson "to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force" to prevent further attacks against U.S. forces. It gave him power to declare war on Vietnam.
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Teach Ins began in 1965, when students abandoned their classes to congregate and discuss issues of the war and reasons why they opposed it. By May, more than 100 colleges held National teach Ins over radio.
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On Feb 6, 1965, the Vietcong guerrillas attacked the U.S. military compound at Pleiku. 8 Americans were killed, 126 wounded, and ten aircrafts destroyed.
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On March 2, 1965, the U.S. involvement in the war expanded as 100 American fighter-bombers attacked targets such as factories and fuel depots in North Vietnam. Intended to last eight weeks, Operation Rolling Thunder, lasted 3 years.
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On March 8, 1965, a total of 3,500 troops arrive at Da Nang air base to provide security. Having more American troops allowed the South Vietnamese troops to help out in combat.
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On April 17, 1965, 15,000 students known as the Students for a Democratic Society gathered in Washington to protest the U.S. bomb campaign. During the entire war, the U.S. dropped nearly 8 million tons of bombs.
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On August 21, 1965, the first majoor action fought only by U.S. forces, known as Operation Starlite, took place. U.S. Marines destroy a Viet Cong base and capture their positions.
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The Vietcong and North Vietnamese launched a massive surprise attack against South Vietnam. Their guerrillas attacked virtually all American bases and the South's major cities and provincial capitals.
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In 1969, President Nixon began withdrawing troops from Vietnam starting with 25,000 soldiers and later bringing another 100,000 home. He still threatens to attack and says he is not surrendering.
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On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announces U.S. troops will invade Cambodia to end the war in Vietnam and win peace. He plans to destroy Vietcong military bases weakening North Vietnam's overall military.
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On Jan 27, 1973 the Paris Peace Accords were signed by the U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong. U.S. had to end all military activities, the North Vietnamese agreed to an immediate cease-fire and release of all American prisoners of war.
