-
A New Government
The Viet Minh, established by Vietnam leader Ho Chi Minh, establishes a new government called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. -
The US' First Involvement
The United States pledge $15 million of military aid to the French, who are currently fighting in Vietnam. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
French suffer a major loss at this battle. -
Geneva Accords
Nations meet to decide how French could peacefully withdraw from Vietnam. They decided on a peaceful cease fire from the French, and a temporary line between North and South Vietnam. -
The Election
US becomes worried that in the scheduled democratic election scheduled for 1956 would fail and Vietnam would become completely communist. In response, they helped South Vietnam declare themselves as the Repubic of Vietnam and hold their own election where Ngo Dinh Diem won for president. -
The National Liberation Front
During Dinh Diem's presidency, he alientated many South Vietnamese people. In response to that, people in South Vietnam who sympathisized with communist views, created the National Liberation Front, or the Viet Cong, which provided guerrilla warfare against the South Vietnamese. -
Ngo Dinh Diem
In a coup supported by the US, the president of the Republic of Vietnam is executed. -
Gulf of Tonkin
When 2 US ships were on their way to South Vietnam with additional advisors, they were shot down by the North Vietnamese. In response, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was passed. This gave President Johnson the ability to send the first ground troops to Vietnam. -
First Ground Troops
The first US ground troops arrive in Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong coordinate an attack on more than 100 South Vietnamese cities and towns. The US forces and South Vietnam forces were able to repel the forces, which became known as the Tet Offensive. -
Vietnamization
President Nixon orders the first of many withdrawals of US troops from Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79. -
Easter Offensive
In the process of moving US troops out of Vietnam, the North Vietnamese cross the 17th parallel and attack South Vietnam. The remaining US forces and the South Vietnamese fight back. -
Paris Peace Accords
A cease-fire agreement is met. -
Surrender
The South Vietnamese surrender to the North Vietnamese. -
Unification
South and North Vietnam become one again, and is reunited as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam