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In 1941, a vietnamese communist, Ho Chi Minh, drew on that history to stir up nationalist feelings.
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On September 2 1945, the same day that japan formally surrendered to the Allies, Vietnam declared its Independence.
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In November 1946, French warships opened fire on the port city of Haiphong, killing some 6,000 Vietnamese civilians.
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By 1951, thousands of U.S. soldiers had already died in Korea trying to halt the spread of communism.
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In March 1954, when Viet Minh launched a surprise attack on a large French military base at Dien Bien Phu, in the mountains of northeren Vietnam.
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In July the French and Viet Minh signed the Geneva Accords
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On April 7, Eisenhower warned that if Vietnam fell to communism, the rest of Southeast Asia would topple like a ¨ row of dominoes.¨
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On May 7, 1954 the Viet Minh finally overran the French base, ending the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and shattering French morale.
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In October 1955, he declared himself president of South Vietnam.
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In 1960, the viet Minh formed a group called the National Liberation front and invited all opponents of Diem to join
