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On the same day as Japan's surrender of WWII, Communist Viet Minh leader Ho Chi Mihn declares the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as independent from France, and assumes the role of its president. This announcement is not recognized by other world leaders.
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After acknowledging Bao Dai's government, the Republic of Vietnam earlier in the year, U.S. President Truman begins military involvement in Vietnam by giving France $15 million in milirary aid, including a military mission and advisors.
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Republican Dwight Eisenhower wins the election for 34th President of the United States, with Richard Nixon as his Vice President. As president, Eisenhower significantly increased military aid to the French effort against communism in Vietnam, citing a "Domino Theory" to argue that communism must be put to a stop in Vietnam so that it does not spread.
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France and Ho Chi Minh sign the Geneva Accords, dividing Vietnam into two separate countries along the seventeenth parallel. Ho Chi Minh would control the North, while Bao Dai would occupy the South. They also agreed elections can be held two years later to reunify the country, which the United States feared would lead to Ho Chi Minh's control of the country. Niether South Vietnam nor the United States signed the agreement, although they agreed to follow it.
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Bao Dai appoints Ngo Dinh Diem as the prime minister of South Vietnam. As a Roman Catholic, Diem causes Catholics in North Vietnam to come South, while many Southern Communists went North. The United States supports Diem and his anti-Communist regime.
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The French leave Vietnam, relinquishing their control over Indochina. The US Military Assistance Advisor Group (MAAG) takes over training South Vietnamese forces.
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Southern Viet Cong forces organize and begin guerilla warfare in South Vietnam, killing over 400 South Vietnamese officials under Diem's administration.
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With U.S. approval, South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh uses military operatives to overthrow Diem. The next day, Diem and his brother Nhu are assassinated.
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After North Vietnamese boats allegedly fired torpedoes at a U.S. ship, Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the ultimate authority to take any steps necessary in Vietnam, bypassing a Declaration of War from Congress.
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The U.S. sends its first combat troops, 3,500 Marines, to Vietnam to defend the American air base at Danang.
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The Battle of Ia Drang Valley in South Vietnam was the first significant battle between the U.S. and North Vietnam. The U.S. sent helicopters directly into the war zone to use heavy artillery and B-52 air strikes. Heavy casualties were reported on both sides.
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On the Vietnamese Tet holiday, North Vietnamese troops started attacking key cities and towns throughout South Vietnam. The Viet Cong of North Vietnam lost over 10,000 men in these attacks, but as the U.S. lost many too, it caused them to question their involvement in the war, rendering the North victorious in a political sense. For this reason, Tet Offensive is a turning point in the Vietnam War.
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U.S. soldiers killed more than 300 unarmed Vietnamese civilians after finding no Viet Cong troops in My Lai. The American public became even more against the war after hearing of My Lai's attrocities.
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U.S. W. Averell Harriman and North Vietnam Xuan Thuy meet in Paris to discuss peace in Vietnam. The U.S. wants Viet Cong troops out of the South, whereas North Vietnam wants a coalition government.
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Nixon startes to withdraw troops from Vietnam, and promises to bring home many more by the spring. In time, the the South Vietnamese Army will take over fighting after American departure.
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The United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong sign the Paris Peace Accords. The U.S. agrees to remove troops from Vienam, and North Vietnam agrees to cease fire. South Vietnam remains in a state of unrest.
