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France invades Vietnam and makes Vietnam a colony.
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A political party which was transformed from old Vietnamese Communist Party
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The Japanese occupation of Vietnam began in September 1940 and continued for the duration of World War II. The catalyst for this invasion was Japan’s ongoing war with China, which began in 1937. By occupying Vietnam, Tokyo hoped to close off China’s southern border, halting its supply of weapons and materials
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Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
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The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China.
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The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.
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The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
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The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.
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South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president.
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The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam.
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North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). was from August 2nd to the 4th
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In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
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A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder).
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The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. Marines, Army
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The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns.
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U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai.
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U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000
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President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam.
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President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses
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The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.
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The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire.
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The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.
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North Vietnam launches a massive assault on South Vietnam
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South Vietnam surrenders to the communists
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Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is dedicated 58,220 Casualities