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Japanese invades Vietnam
Several countries were in control of a part of Vietnam at this point. The Japanese did not leave Vietnam until the end of WWII. The Japanese involvement contributed to the strengthening of the Vietminh and led to the outbreak of the first Indochina war. -
Japan surrenders to the Allies
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French forces fell to the Vietminh
Leader Ho Chi Minh organized a nationalist group called the Vieminh. They were composed of Communists and non-Communists and tried to expel Japanese forces. The French and Vietminh were fighting and the US aided the French, but they still struggled. -
Elections for Vietnam
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Vietcong establishes control
Anti-Communist Ngo Dinh Diem refused to hold national elections for Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh tried to reunite the country. He tried to achieve this through a new guerrilla army composed of South Vietnamese Communists. They became known as the Vietcong. Eisenhower tried to combat these forces, but the Vietcong became a more and more powerful force. -
Period: to
Military personnel increases
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Generals launched a Military Coup
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Torpedo boats fire on US destroyers
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Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
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Sustained bombing campaign over Vietnam