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The Siege at Dien Bien Phu
The organization of Viet Minh captures about 10,000 French soldiers at Dien Bien Phu. After being captured the French soldiers see the last of their survival supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies. The French ask Washington for help, and after some consideration, President Eisenhower does nothing to help.
I think this is a significant event because it shows what role the U.S took at the beginning of the war, and how little they chose to help. -
France's withdrawal from Vietnam
France decides to withdraw from Vietnam after 10,000 of French soldiers surrendered in Dien Bien Phu, and many of them die in prison camps or on their way to the camps.
This is an important event, because after March 30th, you can see that France did need help from the US, and because they didn't get help, they were forced to withdraw. -
Vietnam is divided in half
The agreements from the Geneva Conference of 1954 divide Vietnam in half temporarily. Bao Dai was granted the South. The agreement also wanted to have elections to reunify Vietnam further in time, but the U.S did not like this idea. They were against it because they did not want Ho Chi Minh to win the election. This was an important event, because the elections never happened, which left North Vietnam as a communist state. -
Diem: First President of South Vietnam
Diem becomes the first president of South Vietnam, and assigns all the government positions to his close friends, and relatives. I think this is an important event, because Diem was a huge part of the Vietnam War, and he was highly supported by the U.S even though his leadership was not going as promised. -
Bombings in South Vietnam
Viet Minh begins terrorizing South Vietnam with bombings, and murders. By the end of the year, 400 South Vietnamese officials had were killed by the Viet Minh guerrillas. I think this is an important event, because it is the start of many more attacks on both sides. -
Second Indochina War
Ho Chi Minh decides that he wants to become the leader of all of Vietnam, therefore he plans to unite Vietnam by declaring a "People's War," which leads to the Second Indochina War. I think this is important because it is the start of Ho Chi Minh's fight for power, and the Vietnam War is also known as the Indochina War. -
"Enemies of the State: South Vietnam"
After a failed violent attack by South Vietnamese Army Officers on President Diem, he and his brother order to elimate those who were seen as threats. Which led to the 50,000 arrests, and innocent civilians' deaths. I think this is an important event, because it demonstrates what kind of government Diem and his people were running. -
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy serving as the 35th president of the U.S, seems to be supportive of his allies during the Vietnam War. I think it's important to include JFK in the timeline, because from 1961-1963, he makes pretty big decisions concerning Vietnam. -
6th Anniversary of South Vietnam's Republic
President John F. Kennedy sends a letter to Diem saying that he will send more troops as well as helicopters to prevent a Communism takeover. I think this is an important event because, Kennedy eventually ends up sending over 16,000 American military advisors. -
Buddhists Riot in South Vietnam
Buddhists start rioting for not being allowed to show religious flags while celebrating their religious days. South Vietnamese troops shoot at the Buddhists which ends in some deaths. Months later during the same year, Buddhists monks start to burn themselves to death in protest. I think this is an important event, because after seeing all of this the U.S realizes that maybe it's best not to support Diem, and associate with his government. -
Diem's death
Diem and his brother are assassinated on their way to Saigon. South Vietnam's people become obsessed over power, which leads to civilian/military governments. This is a very important event because it shows how a significant person in this war died, and what came of his death. -
John F. Kennedy's assassination
John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Lyndon B. Johnson, takes his place as the 36th president. This is important, because now Johnson is the one making the big decisions for the Vietnam War. -
Peace Offering: "Peace Without Conquest"
President Lyndon B. Johnson attends John Hopkins University and gives a speech offering North Vietnam "unconditional discussions" to stop the war. The only thing he asked in return was for economic help in moderning Vietnam, however the leader of North Vietnam refused. I think this is an important event because it shows that now the U.S wanted to end the war, but that didn't happen. Instead there were more bombings and attacks from both sides. -
Monthly Drafts double in size
President Johnson decides to send 44 combat battalions to Vietnam, and because of that monthly drafts double to 35,000 men. This is an important event because it shows how big the war was, and how many people were being affected by it. This increase in monthly drafts leads to anti-war rallies later on. -
The War is Over.
The last U.S Marines leave Saigon. At 11 in the morning, President Minh announces their surrender, ending the long war. This is an important event, because it was the end to all the deaths, attacks, assassinations,bombings, etc.
