Timeline: The Vietnam War

Sep 1, 1940

Japan invades Vietnam

Japan invaded Vietnam because they desperately needed the oil source that they had.

May 1, 1941

Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh

The Viet Minh is national independence coalition that was estabilished after the Vietnamese were liberated.

Sep 2, 1945

Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam's Independence: Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh publicly proclaimed Vietnam's independence from France establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Jul 1, 1950

Viet Minh receives military weapons and advisors from China

China gives military aid to the Viet Minh.

Jul 15, 1950

The U.S supports France by giving $15 million of military aid to help them fight

The U.S gets involved in the war in order to prevent communism from spreading (domino theory). They backed France by giving them money for military aid.

May 7, 1954

The French are defeated at the battle of Dien Bien Phu

First Indochina War between the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist-nationalist revolutionaries. The purpose was to cut off the Vien Minh suppily into the Kingdom of Laos.

Oct 26, 1955

South Vietnam becomes Republic of Vietnam electing Ngo Dinhn Diem as president

The split between South and North Vietnam leads South Vietnam to become the Republic of Vietnam and they elected Ngo Dihn Diem as their president.

Dec 20, 1960

South Vietnam establishes the National Liberation Front

The purpose was to overthrow the South Vietnamese government and the reunification of North and South Vietnam.

Aug 2, 1964

North Vietnam attacks U.S destroyers in international waters (Gulf of Tonkin)

In a controversial event, U.S destroyers were attacked by the Vietnamese. This became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.

Aug 7, 1964

The U.S Congress passes the Gulf od Tonkin Resolution

This resolution authorized U.S president Johnson to retaliate by any means necessary in order to promote international peace.

Mar 8, 1965

First U.S combat troops arrive in Vietnam

The U.S gets involved in the war causing a lot of controversey in America. This first shipment of troops are sent out.

Apr 30, 1970

President Nixon publicly announces the U.S will attack enemy locations in Cambodia creating protests

President Nixon announces that the U.S is going to war and will attack Neighboring countries near Vietnam. Since the U.S had no serious rhyme or reason to interfere with the Civil War going on in Vietnam, many people were upset and protests began happening.

Mar 14, 1972

North Vietnamese cross the 17th parallel attack South Vietnam (Easter Offensive)

Between North and South Vietnam there was a military demaraction line dividing the two countries that was not to be crossed due to their established treaty. North Vietnamese crossed over the DMZ line near the 17th parallel and attacked South Vietnam.