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1880- France Colonizes Indochina
France colonizes Indochina, including vietnam. The French restricted their freedom of speech and assembly. This is important because their rule angered the Vietnamise people. -
1930- Nguyen Ai Quoc Emerges
Nguyen Ai Quoc emerges as a new voice to unite Vietnam and oust the French. He believed the communist ideology was the model to follow to gain independence. This is important because he sparked the want of freedom among the Vietnamese and associated communism with freedom. -
1941- Japan Invades Vietnam
Japan invades Vietnam after France falls to Germany. Ho Chi Minh maintains a guerrilla operation gainst Japanese and receives aid from US CIA in exchange for enemy intelligence. This is important because the French no longer control the Vietnamise and they will have new rule of Japan. -
1945- Ho Chi Minh Creates National Liberation Committee of Vietnam
After the surrender of Japan to the Vietminh, Ho Chi Minh creates the National Liberation Committee of Vietnam. All power is transferred to him. The significance of this is that Ho Chi Minh is pro-communism and wants Vietnam to be communist. The US fears that is Vietnam falls to communsim, others will too. -
1946- French Indochina War Begins
French Indochina war begins. Vietnam launches its first attack to gain independance from France. This is significant because this attack leads on to more that will eventually gain Vietnam's freedom from France. -
1954- Geneva Accords
After the French lost to Vietnam, the Geneva Accords splits Vietnam in half. The North is communist and the South is a democracy. The significance of this is that if the two halves united, Vietnam would be all communist. The USA worked in the South to maintain a democratic government. -
1955- Diem becomes President of Republic of Vietnam
Diem becomes President of Republic of Vietnam after a rigged election. This is important because Diem would later turn out to be a corrupt leader of the Republic of Vietnam. -
1957- Viet Cong Attacks
Viet Cong, a communist group, launches attacks in the south against the Diem government. This is important because it shows the United States that Diem is not fit for his position. -
1953- Kennedy Removes Diem
President Kennedy disenchanted with the corruption in the Diem Government. He announced that the US would not support him as a leader. Diem was assassinated while in custody. This is important because if Diem had not been removed, then the communist rebels groups could have taken control of the south. -
1964- North Vietnam Attacks US Destroyers
North Vietnam attacks US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Despite doubts about validity of the attack, congress responds by authorizing the use of armed forces to protect it' alliance. This is important because this is the first time the United States uses armed forces to protect the South from North Vietnam communists.
