The Vietnam War

By mduffield

  • French colonial rule begins.

  • Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist Party

  • ICP organises a guerrilla force, Viet Minh, in response to invasion by Japan during World War II.

  • The Viet Minh seizes power.

  • French forces attack Viet Minh in Haiphong in November, sparking the war of resistance against the colonial power.

  • Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognised by China and USSR.

  • Viet Minh forces attack an isolated French military outpost in the town of Dien Bien Phu. The attempt to take the outpost lasts two months, during which time the French government agrees to peace talks in Geneva

  • The Saigon Military Mission, a covert operation to conduct psychological warfare and paramilitary activities in South Vietnam, is launched under the command of U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Lansdale.

  • Prince Sihanouk Overthrown.

  • Invasion of Cambodia.