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Viet Minh forms
Ho Chi Minh forms a group called Viet Minh in communist Vietnam. Members of this independent movement group opposed foreign occupation. -
End of World War II
World war II ends. The war ends after America drops bomb on Japan. -
Vietnam declares independence
Japan formally surrenders to the Allies after America drops bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On this same day, Vietnam declares independence from France. -
French attacks Vietnam
Warships from France opened fire in the city of Haiphong, killing 6,000 Vietnamese civilians. -
War begins between Vietnam and France
The Viet Minh launched an attack at Dien Bien Phu, a large military base belonging to the French military -
French and Viet Minh sign agreement.
French and Viet Minh signed the Geneva Accords. Under agreement conflict between France and Vietnam stops and Vietnam splits along the 17 parallel temporarily. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends
The Viet Minh overran the French base, shattering French morale. -
Ngo Dinh Diem declares himself president.
The United States puts anticommunist South Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem in charge by using their influence. -
National Liberation Front is formed
Viet Minh formed a group called the National Liberation Front, inviting all opponents of Diem. The group was referred to as the "Viet Cong", meaning Vietnamese communists. -
Kennedy becomes president.
Kennedy becomes president and sends an inspection team to the south of Vietnam to evaluate the situation. -
Buddhist rally opposes Diem.
A Buddhist rally was held opposing Diem's policies, during which South Vietnamese police killed nine demonstrators. -
Viet Cong attacked US
Viet Cong attacked a US air base in south. This led to a series of massive air strikes.
