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Period: to
Vietnam War
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French Rampage
Ho Chi Minh had declared himself presidnet of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This is ignored by President Truman. French soldiers are released by the British from Japanese camps and the French go on to lead a dangerous rampage in South Vietnam. This shows violence and tension occuring in South Vietnam. -
The First US Death
Officer Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey was killed by Viet Minh gorillas who believed he was a French officer. Dewy had filed a report previously stating that Vietnam became very dangerous and the Americans should get out of Southeast Asia. -
Haiphong Harbor
French release an attack on the Viet Minh at the Haiphong Harbor. French occupy Hanoi and this causes Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh forces to hide in the jungle. -
Indochina War
30,000 Viet Minh lauched their first attack on the French. This began an eight year period know as the First Indochina War where both sides were prepared for a long fight. -
China Sends Weapons
China began to send weapens to the Viet Minh. Many of these weapons were made in America and belonged to the Chinese Nationalists after their defeat by Mao. The new equipment allowed the Viet Minh to become a strong conventional army unit. -
McCarthyism
In the US, the idea of McCarthyism began when Senator Joseph R. McCarthy claimed that the US State Department harbored communists. Other politicians began to become strict against the idea of communism. -
US Troops to Korea
President Truman sends troops into Korea after communists invade South Korea. Truman says that the invasion is a "Moscow-backed attack" by the "monolithic world communism". -
US Military Involvement
US military becomes involved in Vietnam. President Harry Truman authorized over $15 million in military aid to the French people. -
President Kennedy Sends "Special Advisors"
President Kennedy sends 400 American Green Beret "Special Advisors" to South Vietnam to trian soldiers on how to defend themselves against the Viet Cong gorillas. Viet Cong launched several attacks on the South Vietnamese and Diem asked for more support from the US. -
Kennedy Supports the Vietnamese
Kennedy was determined to help Vietnam keep its independence. He sent extra advisors and helicopters and the US military members lead the Vietnamese troops in battle. Kennedy claimed he was keeping a communist take over from happening and approved over 16,000 military advisors. -
Kennedy's Assassination
President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, TX. President Johnson was then named the 36th president and was in control of dealing with Vietnam. By the end of the year there are over 16,300 American military adviors in South Vietnam. -
Viet Cong Terrorist Attack
Viet Cong terrorists set off a car bomb for 5:45 pm at the Brinks Hotel where American officers were staying. The bomb went off and killed two people while wounding another 58. President Johnson dismissed his retaliation. -
Bombing of North Vietnam
President Johnson approved the bombing of North Vietnamese army site in retaliation to the many attacks on American soldiers. -
Soldier Withdrawal
President Nixon ordered the withdrawal of 35,000 soldiers in South Vietnam and reduced the amount of draft calls. -
Nixon
Presidnet Nixon was elected the 37th president. He talked a lot about peace and later threatened to continue bombing North Vietnam.
