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Japan signs the surrender agreement in Tokyo Bay, officially ending WWII in the Pacific. On this same day, Ho Chi Minh claims independence of Vietnam (by quoting the Declaration of Independence). Declares himself president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and pursues American recognition (but is ignored repeatedly).
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35,000 French troops are sent in to try and restore French rule in Vietnam. Viet Minh use guerilla warfare to fight back. French succeed in expelling Viet Minh from Saigon.
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Senator McCarthy delivers a speech claiming that there are communists within our gov't. No polititian wants to appear "soft" regarding communism.
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"Domino theory" - If Vietnam falls to communism, surrounding countries will too. Will spend loads of money on stopping communism.
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US grants $15 million to French to aid in the war effort in Vietnam.
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the Geneva Accords divide Vietnam at the 17th parallel. Ho Chi Minh's communist North, and Bao Dai's regime in the South.
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First 2 American deaths in the 2nd Indochina war (Vietnam War). Killed in South Vietnam by Viet Minh guerillas.
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Kennedy sends in 400 Green Berets to train the South Vietnamese army against the Viet Cong guerillas.
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By year's end, there are 16,300 American military advisors in South Vietnam which received $500 million in U.S. aid during 1963.
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US ships attack North Vietnamese torpedos that were "stalking" them. (Controversy!)
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US sends official troops in to fight in Vietnam.
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Tet Offensive hits all major cities, Americans had been told we were winning, distrust of gov't.
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Nixon invades Cambodia/Loas, Kent State shooting.
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"In the United States, South Vietnam was perceived as doomed. President Gerald Ford had given a televised speech on 23 April, declaring an end to the Vietnam War and all U.S. aid. Frequent Wind continued around the clock, as North Vietnamese tanks breached defenses on the outskirts of Saigon. In the early morning hours of 30 April, the last U.S. Marines evacuated the embassy by helicopter, as civilians swamped the perimeter and poured into the grounds."
