Introduction to the Vietnam War

By karringtonlawson
  • Ho Chi Minh is born

    Ho Chi Minh is born

    He first emerged as an outspoken voice for freedom while he was living in France during WW1. He was a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader.
  • Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the US recognize Vietnam as a separate nation.

    Vietnam declares independence from France, but neither France nor the US recognize Vietnam as a separate nation.

    Ho Chi Minh claims independence from the french.
  • Ngo Diem cancels the elections in Vietnam

    Ngo Diem cancels the elections in Vietnam

    Ngo Diem cancelled the elections because he did not want North and South Vietnam to unify as called for in the Geneva Accords.
  • President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory"

    President Eisenhower declares "Domino Theory"

    The Domino Theory is the idea that if one country falls to communism the surrounding countries will fall to communism as well.
  • The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South

    The Geneva Accords cause Vietnam to be split into North and South

    Took place in Geneva, Switzerland from April - July 1954. The nation split at the 17th parallel.
  • The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu

    The Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu

    The US responded by increasing military aid to South Vietnam and sending the first US military advisers to S. Vietnam in 1959.
  • The National Liberation Front is formed

    The National Liberation Front is formed

    Also known as the Viet Cong. They occupied North Vietnam.
  • The US withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam

    The US withdraws support of Ngo Dinh Diem, leader of South Vietnam

    Ngo Diem was assassinated by a group of soldiers.
  • A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire

    A South Vietnamese monk sets himself on fire

    A Buddhist monk set himself on fire and burns to death on a Saigon street. To protest persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government.
  • President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

    President Kennedy is assassinated, leading to the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

    JFK would have possibly pulled out of Vietnam if he would've survived.
  • President Lyndon B. Johnson claims a US ship is fired upon by the North Vietnamese.

    President Lyndon B. Johnson claims a US ship is fired upon by the North Vietnamese.

    President LBJ claimed the USS Maddox was attacked by three N. Vietnamese torpedo boats. The US responded by declaring war on the Vietnamese.
  • The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam

    The first combat troops arrive in Vietnam

    The US sent the first military advisers in 1961