-
Japan forces surrender to allied forces. Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent nation, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. But victorious France reassumes colonial authority.
-
-
They start fighting French colonial rule, and later they go from small guerilla bands to a well-organized army
-
China begins supporting the Viet Minh, and the US pledges 15 million$ to aid France
-
-
Diem calls the group the "Vietcong."
-
They execute him
-
US troops arrive in March. By the end of the year, 200,000 troops are stationed there
-
US launches Operation Cedar Falls, a ground war effort involving 30,000 US and South vietnamese troops trying to destroy supply sites, and they discover a system of underground tunnels that served as headquarters for the Vietcong
-
US kills many Vietnamese civilians in town of Mai Lai. President Johnson declares he will not seek reelection because of his popularity plummiting. Richard Nixon is then elected in November, and by December the US troops in Vietnam reach 540,000
-
Nixon approves Operation Breakfast, covert bombing of supply routes in Cambodia. Ho Chi Minh dies on November 3. Later the US learn of the Mai Lai massaccre, and they continue to turn against the war.
-
The US troops leave Vietnam
-
President Ford announces that the war is over for the Americans, and the South Vietnam surrender to the communist forces.
