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Viet Minh raid Dien Bien Phu Air Force Base
Over 50,000 Viet Minh attack and assault the borders of Dien Bien Phu base, threatening the location and the 10,000 French soldiers stationed there. The French did not surrender to the Viet Minh until May 7th, 1954 and they made the vow to completely evacuate from Vietnam in order to prevent any more battles from occurring. This was a significant moment because this was the first sign that the Allies saw Vietnam as a potential threat. -
Period: to
The Vietnam War (1954-1980)
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The Geneva Conference on Indochina
Representative from the United States, Britain, China, the Soviet Union, France, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam meet in order to negotiate a resolution with Vietnam. This moment is significant because this is a conference that determined the split between North and South Vietnam and both of their governments. -
The Return of Ho Chi Minh
Once the French completely withdrew from Vietnam, Communist Leader Ho Chi Minh comes out of hiding after spending eight years hiding in the jungle. He takes control of North Vietnman for himself. This was a significant moment in Vietnam history because Ho Chi Minh's power had the ability to make an bad impact on the state of Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh declares a "People's War"
The Vietnam Revolution begins when Ho Chi Minh declares a full-out military-based People's War, uniting all of Vietnam under his leadership. This marks the beginning of the Second Indochina War, which is significant because it marks the beginning of the internal conflict between North and South Vietnam. -
Kennedy signs and enacts the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
President Kennedy signs the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962, a law that will help provide military services to countries under direct attack of any Communist influence. This moment was an important spot in the timeline because it shows Kennedy is still trying to help solve the problem without interfering and risking too many lives. -
President Kennedy sends pledge to aid S. Vietnam
Six years after the barrier between North and South Vietnam was formed, President Kennedy mailed a letter to President Ngo Dinh Diem, pledging to help South Vietnam preserve its independence from Ho Chi Minh and North Vietnam. He also sends American helicopter units to Vietnam, for the first time involving the Americans in combat operations. This was a significant moment in the timeline for it was America's first major action to getting involved with the conflict, despite trying so hard not to. -
US Ambassador Stages Military Coup against S Vietnam
In response to President Diem's unwillingness to cooperate with the United State's ideas for victory, US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge stages a military coup against South Vietnam's President Diem and his brother No Dinh Nhu. US military storms South Vietnam's capital, Saigon, and surround the presidental palace. This moment is important because this conflict between these two shows, while aggressive, signifies the first step to fixing the war in the view of the US. -
President Diem's Assassination
The morning after the coup takes place, Diem and Nhu are caught and surrender to the generals in a Catholic church. As they are being transported by generals, both men are assassinated in the vehicle. This moment is significant because this event leave South Vietnam to become totally dependent on the United States, leaving it to be their main problem and not someone's else's. -
Defense Secretary McNamara visits Vietnam
US Defense secretary Robert McNamara visits Vietnam and advises President Lyndon B Johnson to increase military aid in Vietnam. This moment is important because it shows how important winning this war is to the Americans- if they lost the war, their credibility would have been damaged in terms of their claim to prevent a Communist victory from happening in Vietnam. -
First US Bombing Raid Occurs Over Vietnam
Oil facilities and Vietnam Naval targets are attacked by 64 US Navy fighter bombers through an order declared by President Johnson after two bombing attacks on US warfare. Over 85 percent of the American population supported his decision, signifying Johnson's respect has finally happened. -
Authorization of Napalm
President Johnson authorizes the use of Napalm, a petroleum based bomb that showers hundreds of explosive pellets upon impact. This moment signifies how desperate Johnson is to winning this battle during his presidency. -
Nixon announces peace plan to remove all troops from Vietnam
During his first televised speech to Vietnam as President, Nixon announces that he will be settling the conflicts between America and North Vietnam and pulling troops out of South Vietnam within a year. The offer is unfortunately rejected by those in Hanoi, North Vietnam's capital. -
Last of America's troops are withdrawn from Vietnam
The last batch of American troops are withdrawn from Vietnam, totaling the death rate from the last 15 years of war to be over 2 million Americans. this moment is significant because it is the first moment where Americans would be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel in terms of ending the war. -
Invasion of Saigon
The North Vietnamese Army takes over Saigon, where over 30,000 South Vietnamese soldiers are powerless. The NVA attacks within the city limits, erupting the city into chaos. This moment is important because the NVA have finally taken over South Vietnam's most important city. -
The Vietnam War ends
The last of the Americans depart Saigon, ending the United States' presence in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese Army storms into the Presidential palace, waving the red and blue Viet Cong flag and Ho Chi Minh declares that everyone surrenders. The war ends.
