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The Viet Minh is formed
The Communist-led nationalist group called the Viet Minh is established by Ho Chi Minh, a communist leader who was to become a revolutionary. Rather than having primarily political reasons, the main objective of the Viet Minh was to achieve independence from the French Empire. They began to establish guerilla groups and organizations. -
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam is created
Ho Chi Minh establishes the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and declares himself as the president. He continues to try and get the United States to formally recognize the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, even quoting the American Declaration of Independence in his speech. However, his attempts to create friendly international relations with the U.S. and other countries are ignored. -
First Indochina War breaks out
After periods of negotiations that led to no resolution or independence in sight, the Viet Minh attacked French forces stationed in Hanoi in December. The Soviets and Chinese formally recognize the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and offer military aid. Meanwhile, the U.S. are so adamant on their anti-communism stance that they supply over $15 million to aid the French Forces in Vietnam. -
French forces are defeated at Dien Bien Phu
The battle at Dien Bien Phu was the most decisive battle in the First Indochina War that decided the fate that was to come at the Geneva Accords. There were as many as 50,000 Viet Minh troops, compared to the meager 13,000 French troops. The Viet Minh victory was well deserved because of their superior military tactics, and succeeded in marking the end of French military rule in Vietnam. -
The Geneva Accords divides Vietnam in half
At the Geneva Conference in Switzerland, peace talks were being negotiated. It meant a cease fire between the French and the Viet Minh and temporary division of the country into North Vietnam, the communists, and South Vietnam, the U.S. supported governemnt under Ngo Dinh Diem. This temporary seperation at the 17th parallel was to be partioned until 1956, when nation wide elections were to be held to reunify the country. -
Ngo Dinh Diem becomes president of South Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem, with the help of the United States, gains power and is elected president of South Vietnam. Because he is afraid to lose due to the overwhelming supporters of Ho Chi Minh, Diem refuses to follow the Geneva Accords and hold countrywide elections in 1956. His views and policies create much public resentment and leads to his murder later on. -
Ho Chi Minh Trail is constructed
Construction on the Ho Chi Minh Trail began. The trail was a series of roads built through North Vietinam, South Vietnam, and the neighbouring countries of Laos and Cambodia as well. It was crucial in supporting the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese army as it could easily transport troops and military supplies. The American troops tried to bomb it and destroy it many times, but the trail operations were still working fine. -
Viet Cong is formed
The National Liberation Front, more commonly known as the Viet Cong, is established in North Vietnam. Their principal goals were to overthrow Diem and his U.S. backed government in the South and to reunite Vietnam as one. The Viet Cong's primary mode of fighting was guerilla warfare. -
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Agent Orange is used
Over 20 million gallons of Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide, was used by the U.S. in Vietnam, particularly the jungles in order to deprive the guerilla groups who lived in the jungles of food and protection. Agent Orange had devastating effects not only on vegetation, but on the citizens as well. -
Diep overthrown in a coup
Due to his unpopular opinions, such as his policies against Bhuddists, the Ngo Dinh Diem regime is overthrown by a South Vietnamese General Duong Van Minh, who is supported in his decision by the United States. A day after the coup, Diem is captured and killed. -
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Opposition by American public to U.S. involvement in the war
All over the country, massive protests and peace movements were organized by the American public to show that they were against the war. These protests and demonstrations really showed the divide between the government's views and the peoples' views. Many were students. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed
The United States Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorizes Lyndon B. Johnson to take whatever measures he felt necessary to keep South Vietnam and American troops protected. It gave unlimited power to the president, who could have used it for essentially anything. It was passed in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident, in which in retaliation to the U.S. Maddox alledgedly being attacked a second time, LBJ ordered an aircraft attack on North Vietnam ships. -
Operation Rolling Thunder begins
Operation Rolling Thunder is the code name given to the bombardment campaign authorized by president LBJ. The goals of this operation are to weaken the transportation system North Vietnam had so that they could stop the shipment of supplies, men, and weaponery. Also, the aim of these constant air strike were to destroy North Vietnam's will to fight.The campaign was to last for another three years until peace talks began to be negotiated. -
Operation Starlite
Operation Starlite, sometimes called the battle of Chu Lai, was the first major battle fought in the Vietnam War. The U.S. Marines won the victory and only suffered 45 casualties, compared to the 500 North Vietnamese soldiers killed. Aug 17, 1965. This battle was also significant because it showed the American troops the reality of fighting in Vietnam and the supplies that they might need. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive began on the Vietnamese holiday Tet, and thousands of Vietcong soldiers attacked cities and towns throughout South Vietnam by surprise. The Vietcong faced devastating casualties of 37,000 men, and did not succeed in creating an uprising or maintaining control of any significant South Vietnam regions. Although this was considered a victory for the U.S., public support of the war dwindled and many peaceful protests began not only in colleges, but everywhere across America. -
Massacre at My Lai
American soldiers of the Charlie Company entered the vilalge of My Lai and massacre hundres of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. This unprovoked attack on civilians shocks all of America and creates huge public outrage when it came to the public's eye. The massacre effectively creates an even bigger divide between the public and the government, as this gave many Americans even more of a reason to strongly oppose American involvement in Vietnam. -
Vietnamization begins
The total number of American soldiers in Vietnam is at its peak of 543,000. Richard Nixon begins his plans of "Vietnamization", promising that he will begin to slowly withdraw American troops from Vietnam. At the same time as withdrawing trrops, South Vietnamese soldiers will be trained to combat the North Vietnamese army so that they will be prepared in a future free of American military help. -
Operation Linebacker begins
President Nixon orders Operation Linebacker, a massive aerial campaign. There were massive bombings in combat including bombings of airfields, power plants, and radio stations. The Americans hoped to disrupt transportation and the flow of new North Vietnamese reinforcements to the South and stop supplies from coming in. The bombings went on until late October. -
Fall of Saigon
The fall of Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam, effectively ended the war. In April of 1975, North Vietnamese forces took the capital city . Without U.S. support because of Vietnamization, the capital city was won almost effortlessly by North Vietnam. This victory for the North Vietnamese meant the long awaited ending of the Vietnam War. -
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam created
After the fall of Saigon, North Vietnam and South Vietnam are finally reunited after years of war! The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is created By this time, all American troops are removed from Vietnam. Losing a country to communism became a source of national shame for many Americans.
