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Historical events leading to the Vietnam War

By T Tally
  • French Colonial Rule Begins in Vietnam

    French Colonial Rule Begins in Vietnam

  • Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP)

    Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP)

  • ICP forms a guerrilla force called the Viet Minh, as a response to Japanese Invasion during World War II

    ICP forms a guerrilla force called the Viet Minh, as a response to Japanese Invasion during World War II

    The movement aimed to resist French and Japanese occupation in Vietnam
  • Japanese troops occupying Indochina carry out a coup against French authorities

    Japanese troops occupying Indochina carry out a coup against French authorities

    They then announce an end to colonial rule and declare Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia independent
  • Japan is defeated by the Allied troops in WWII, leaving a power vacuum in Indochina

    Japan is defeated by the Allied troops in WWII, leaving a power vacuum in Indochina

    France begins to reassert its authority over Vietnam
  • The Viet Minh seize power, and Ho Chi Minh declares North Vietnam's independence

    The Viet Minh seize power, and Ho Chi Minh declares North Vietnam's independence

  • Ho Chi Minh rejects French proposal granting Vietnam limited self-government

    Ho Chi Minh rejects French proposal granting Vietnam limited self-government

    The Viet Minh then begins a guerrilla war against the French
  • President Harry Truman states that the foreign policy of the United States is to assist any country who's stability to threatened by communism

    President Harry Truman states that the foreign policy of the United States is to assist any country who's stability to threatened by communism

    The policy became known as the Truman Doctrine
  • The French install former emperor Bao Dai as the head of state in Vietnam

    The French install former emperor Bao Dai as the head of state in Vietnam

  • The Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognized by China and USSR

    The Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognized by China and USSR

    Both begin to supply economic and military aid to the communist resistance fighters in the country
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower says the fall of French Indochina to communists will create a "domino effect" in Southeast Asia

    Dwight D. Eisenhower says the fall of French Indochina to communists will create a "domino effect" in Southeast Asia

    This domino theory guides U.S. thinking on Vietnam for the next decade
  • French troops suffer a defeat at the hands of the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu

    French troops suffer a defeat at the hands of the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu

    The defeat solidifies the end of French Rule in Indochina
  • The Geneva Conference Split Vietnam into North and South

    The Geneva Conference Split Vietnam into North and South

    Elections were supposed to be held two years after to unify Vietnam under one Democratic government. The elections never happen
  • Ngo Dinh Diem emerges as the leader of South Vietnam with backing by the U.S.

    Ngo Dinh Diem emerges as the leader of South Vietnam with backing by the U.S.

    Ho Chi Minh acts as the leader of the Northern communist state
  • Beginning of Communist Insurgency in the South

    Beginning of Communist Insurgency in the South

    This is where the Vietnam war truly starts