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Creation of Viet Minh (No specifc date found, year only)
Website for Picture Description: Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam after thirty years of exile.
Importance: In 1919 Minh attended the Paris Peace Conference and suggested Vietnam remain seperate from France; he was ignored. Upon his return, Minh created the Vietnam Independence League, a key group instigating the war. -
Viet Minh Revolt
Website for Picture Description: Ho Chi Minh and his followers revolted against Emperor Bao Dai. Dai was put into office by the Japanese government when they invaded Vietnam during World War II.
Importance: This is the fist sign of resistance from the Vietnam Independence League. The revolt is foreshadowing of what is to come. -
Emperor Bao Dai Surrenders
Website for Picture Description: Emperor Bao Dai of Japan surrenders to Ho Chi Minh and his League after the August Revolution.
Importance: The Vietnam Independence League now has control over Vietnam. This leads to conflict between the North and the South regions of Vietnam. -
Creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Website for Picture Description: Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. He served as President in the capital city of Hanoi.
Importance: Minh was a communist and wanted to transfom the country. His ideals would later come to fruition at the end of the war. -
Return of Emperor Bao Dai (no specific date found, year only)
Website for Picture Description: The French reinstated Emperor Bao Dai to lead the independent part of Vietnam.
Importance: Dai remains an important figure for the South Vietnamese until 1954. This Emperor also signed the Elysée Agreement. -
United States Supports French (no specific date found, year only)
Website for Picture Description: President Truman decided to help the French by contributing money and supplies.
Importance: The United States teamed up with France because they were previously allies during the Cold War. Even so, France decided to pull out of the Vietnamese War, leaving the United States to support the South without them. -
Elysée Agreement
Website for Picture Description: South Vietnamese leader, Emperor Bao Dai, and French President, Vincent Auriol, signed the Elysée agreement.
Importance: This document noted France would assist in the anti-communist movement and Vietnam had control over its economy, foreign policy, and army. This document resulted in the United States backing Dai. -
Eisenhower Refuses to Send U.S. Troops
Website for Picture Description: Preisdent Eisenhower was very tentative regarding the involvement of United States troops in this conflict.
Importance: Eisenhower's trepedation was beneficial; it prolonged the combat of U.S. troops until 1965, under President Johnson's command. -
Beginning of Dien Bien Phu
Website for Picture Description: This was the first battle between the Vietminh and the French. The Vietminh troops were lead by Vo Nguyen Giap and assisted by the Chinese.
Importance: This battle was noteworthy, as it motivated the French to terminate the fighting through the creation of the Geneva Accords. -
Signing of the Geneva Accords
Website for Picture Description: Vietnam divided into two parts at the seventeenth parallel. (a geographic area according to coordinates)
Importance: The country had seperated into opposing sides, North and South Vietnam. The North was backed by China and the Soviet Union, while the South received assitance from the United States. -
Death of Ho Chi Minh
Website for Picture Description: Minh passed away at the age of 79 from cardiac arrest.
Importance: Ho Chi Minh, even after his death, is seen as a symbol of Vietnamese revolution and communism. At his death, he was succeeded by a council lead by Le Duan. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Website for Picture
Description: Torpedo boats from the North Vietnamese front attacked the USS Maddox, which was in the Gulf of Tonkin. A similar instance was reported the following day, but there was no concrete evidence to prove this event.
Importance: After this attack, President Johnson decided to take action against the enemies of the U.S. forces. Many believed America fabricated the second attack to justify joining the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Website for Picture Description: Operation Rolling Thunder was an aerial bomb campaign lead by the United States, South Vietnam, and Thailand against North Vietnam. This approach lasted from March of 1965 to November of 1968.
Importance: This operation was approved by President Johnson and was intended to demolish the transportation system in the North as well as the industrial center. -
My Lai Masscare
Website for Picture Description: My Lai Massacre took place in South Vietnam. A group of American soliders brutally murdered a large portion of the population of My Lai in South Vietnam.
Importance: This attack resulted in a divided U.S. over the topic of war. It also increased antiwar sentiments in the states. -
Vietnamization
Website for Picture Description: President Johnson ordered the South Vietnamese civilians to be trained for combat.
Importance: By training the natives, President Johnson promised to withdraw 25,000 United States soldiers. -
Demonstration at Kent State
Website for Picture Description: Students at Kent State University held a demonstration protesting against the United States' decision to enter Cambodia.
Importance: This demonstration resulted in four deaths. On the second day of protesting, the National Guard was called to control the crowd. Some demonstrators refused to abide by the Guard orders, causing shots to be sent into the crowd. -
Peace Agreement Signed
Website for Picture Description: The United States and all the divisions of Vietnam joined together in Paris to sign "An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam.”
Importance: The document included the removal of American troops and bases from Vietnam, a cease fire, and the return of the American prisoners of war. -
Offical End of Vietnam War
Website for Picture Description: This was the last day America was officially involved in the Vietnam War.
Importance: Over the course of the war, 3 million Americans soliders had served. Approximately, 60,000 U.S. fighters had died while 150,000 were wounded. Additionally, there were numerous soliders who were missing in action. -
The Fall of Saigon
Website for Picture Description: The capital of South Vietnam, Siagon, was captured by the Vietminh.
Importance: This event signified the end of the war for the Vietnamese, as the country was now one entity. Today, Saigon is called Ho Chi Minh City, dedicated to the leader of North Vietnam. -
America Strengthens Relations with Vietnam
Website for Picture Description: Senator John Kerry, a veteran of the Vietnam War, aided the United States in restoring their trade with Vietnam.
Importance: The relationship between Vietnam and the United States is beneficial because it will grow long-term security and trade ties as well increasing awarness regarding human rights.
