Lesson 1: Going to war in Vietnam

By BBow

  • Japan invaded Vietnam

    Japan troops invaded French Indochina becoming one of the series of foreign nations to rule the Asian country.
  • Ho Chi Minh organized a nationalist group called the Vietminh.

    Ho Chi Minh organized a nationalist group called the Vietminh.

    Ho Chi Minh returned to the country in 1941 but by then Japan had already seized control of the country. So he created this movement that aimed to resist the French and Japanese occupation of Vietnam.

  • Japan surrendered to the Allies

    This gave up Japan's control of Indochina. Quickly after, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence.
  • French troops returned to Vietnam

    French troops returned to Vietnam

    France had no intention of losing its former colony and this drove Vietnam straight into hiding. However, Vietnam fought back against the French which created them to slowly gain large areas of the country.

  • The British gave India independence

    The United States opposed colonialism. This pressured the Dutch to give up their empire in Indonesia. This supported the decision the British made.

  • French forces fell to the Vietminh

    A huge Vietminh force surrounded Dien Bien Phu and began bombarding the town which created the French to lose. The defeat convinced the French to make peace and withdraw from Indochina.

  • Vietnamese generals launched a military coup to overthrow an unpopular Diem.

    U.S ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge learned this when he arrived in Vietnam in August. Soon after this event, they executed Diem. Although he was unpopular, he was a very respected nationalist. When he died, South Vietnam's government weakened.
  • Johnson announces that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had fired on two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

    Johnson announces that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had fired on two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

    Two days after this attack, he reported another attack. Insisting that these were unprovoked, he ordered American aircraft to attack North Vietnamese ships and naval facilities.
  • Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    Johnson asked Congress for the authority to defend American forces and allies in Southeast Asia and the Congress agreed. Soon after, the Vietcong began to attack bases where American advisors were stationed.

  • Johnson ordered a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.

    This again expanded American involvement. The same month, he sent the first U.S combat troops into Vietnam.