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During the Geneva Accords The US discusses what to do with Vietnam's up coming election. Out of fear that communist Ho Chi Minh would beat Diem the decision is made that the 1956 free election will be canceled.
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Southerners form a group called the Vietcong in resistance. They start attacking Diem's government. They also form a political party called the National Liberation Front.
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Vietnamese patrol boat fired at a US boat. The US boat was way over on the Northern side of the 17th Parallel. No one really knows who fired first. This was the first attack the Vietcong made against the Diem.
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By the end of 1965 American had sent 180,000 over to Vietnam to fight.
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By 1967 President Johnson increases the number of troops over seas to 500,000.
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On the Vietnamese New Year known as Tet the Vietcong attacked over 100 cities in South Vietnam.
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North vietnam penetrate saigon and capture the city. Soon after South Vietnam surrenders and the war is lost.