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The Viet Minh had fought the French troops for 55 days and the Viet Minh defeated the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. They lost 8,000 of their own people compared to the 3,000 French, but nonetheless, France withdrawls from Vietnam.
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The Geneva Accords divide Vietnam in half at the 17th parallel - Ho Chi Minh's Communists in North Vietnam and Bao Dai's military forces in South Vietnam. Elections were to take place in 2 years to reunify Vietnam.
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Ngo Dinh Diem became the first president of The Republic of South Vietnam. U.S. President Eisenhower offers military aid and pledges support for the new government.
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The Soviet Union proposes permanent division of North and South Vietnam. The U.S. rejects the proposal as they are unwilling to recognize Communist North Vietnam.
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Viet Minh guerrillas (Viet Cong) began a program of terrorism in South Vietnam that included bombings and assassinations that left over 400 South Vietnam officials dead.
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North Vietnamese build a trail that allows soldiers, weapons, and equipment to infiltrate South Vietnam.
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U.S. President Kennedy sends 400 American Green Beret's to South Vietnam to train soldiers in the fight against the Viet Cong guerillas.
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President Kennedy tells Diem that the U.S. is determined to help Vietnam perserve its independence. He sends military advisors and helicopters to help South Vietnamese troops in battle.
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The Viet Cong defeat a large force of American-equipped South Vietnamese troop. Three American helicopter crew members are killed.
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Buddhists in South Vietnam are denied the right to display religious flags while celebrating Buddha's birthday. South Vietnamese police and army shoot the demonstrators. Later, Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, publicly set himself on fire as a protest against Diem's repression.
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Both Diem and Nhu are assassinated.
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U.S.-backed secret bombing raids to the Ho Chi Minh trail begin inside Laos.
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The U.S. Congress pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response to the two incidents involving the Maddox and Turner Joy. This gives the President power to wage an undeclared war in Vietnam.
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Operation Rolling Thunder begins - 100 American fighter-bombers attack North Vietnam targets. It lasts 3 years.
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84,000 Viet Cong guerrillas surprise attacked multiple cities and towns throughout South Vietnam.
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100,000 North Vietnamese enter Saigon.
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The last American troops leave Saigon. More North Vietnamese troops enter Saigon and fly their Viet Cong flag in victory as President Minh sends a message of unconditional surrender.
