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U.S. Drops Atomic Bombs in Japan
Harry Truman orders the dropping of two atomic bombs in Japan (Hiroshima-Aug 6th/ Nagasaki- Aug 9th) which will soon make the Japanese surrender.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima -
Ho Chi Minh Declares Independence of Vietnam
Just a few hours after Japan surrendered in WWII, Vietnam delared indepence from France. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vietnam-independence-proclaimed -
First Indochina War Begins
Fighting between France and Viet Minh had started back in Sep. 1946 but it quickly escalated and Viet Minh had no intentions of surrendering. http://www.britannica.com/event/First-Indochina-War -
Elysee Agreement Signed
Elysee Agreement was signed by France which aided the formation of a national anti-Communist army. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lys%C3%A9e_Treaty -
U.S. Pledges $15M to France
The U.S. sends $15 million in military aid to France for the war in Indochina. Unsure of the exact date -
Vietminh Rebels Push Into Laos
Shortly after Laos is granted full independence from France, Vietminh rebels enter in and attack. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55797198 -
Battle of Dienbienphu Begins
A large force of heavily armed Vietminh troops attack France at Dienbienphu. They make it impossible for French supplies to be dropped off by air.
http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-dien-bien-phu -
Diem Rejects Conditions of Geneva Accords
After the French were defeated in Dienbienphu, the Geneva Convention was held to end the war in Indochina. During the Convention, the agreed to divide Vietnam at the 17th parallel until nationwide elections are held. However Diem does not agree to this and rejects their conditions.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/geneva-conference-begins -
Diem Orders Crackdown on Communists
Once Diem becomes the president of Vietnam, the French soon leave. The U.S. is brought in to train South Vietnamese officials. Soon after, communists attack Vietnamese officials and terrorist bombings are beginning. Diem then orders a crackdown on communist rebels.
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/vietnam/timeline.htm Not sure of exact date -
Diem & JFK Assassinated
President Diem and his brother were captured by soldiers and murdered. Many Vietnamese celebrated, but this caused a lot of chaos throughout the nation. A few weeks later, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This left VP Lyndon Johnson to decide how to proceed in the Vietnam war, amidst the grief and chaos in America.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ngo-dinh-diem-assassinated-in-south-vietnam -
B-52s Bomb North Vietnam
The U.S. sends B-52 Bombers into North Vietnam in April. Shortly after, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara makes a statement that the bombings were not successful in meeting certain objectives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-52_Stratofortress -
"Vietnamization" Policy Announced
President Richard Nixon and U.S. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announce the Policy of "Vietnamization". The object was to shift the burden of beating the Communists more on the South Vietnamese military and away from the U.S. http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnamization -
Nixon Resigns
Amidst the Watergate Scandal that has been going on for a few years, President Richard Nixon resigns leaving Gerald Ford to take his place http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/080974-3.htm -
Vietnam War "Finished"
President Ford announces that the Vietnam War is done as far as the U.S. is concerned. The last of the U.S. troops are taken out of Vietnam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War -
Agent Orange
The VA set up a registry for Vietnam Vets who were worried that they may have been exposed to Agent Orange and that they were becoming ill from it.
https://www.vetshq.com/agent-orange-timeline/
