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Period: to
Vietnam War
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The War Begans
The First Indochina War begins, as the Viet Minh begin fighting against French colonial rule. -
Military Aid
China provides Viet Minh with military aid and the United States provides France with military aid. -
Viet Minh defeats the French Army
The Viet Minh defeat the French army in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, forcing the surrender of most of the occupying troops. -
Vietnam splits
On October 26, South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam but North Vietnam remains under the control of Ho’s Communists. -
US military involvement
The U.S. military begins training South Vietnamese forces. -
Vietcong is created
The Hanoi government forms the National Liberation Front (NLF) in South Vietnam. Diem calls the group the Vietcong. -
General Nguyen Khanh takes power
General Nguyen Khanh takes power in South Vietnam in another coup. -
US bombs Vietnam
The U.S. begins sustained bombing of North Vietnam, called Operation Rolling Thunder. The bombing will continue for three years. -
US puts boots on the ground
US launches Operation Ceder Falls to destroy Vietcong operation and supply sites near Saigon. -
Operation Breakfast
President Nixon approves “Operation Breakfast,” covert bombing of Communist supply routes and base camps in Cambodia. -
Paris Peace Accords
US Secretary of State ParHenery Kissinger and Vietcong leader Le Duc Tho sign the Paris Peace Accords. -
South Vietnam surrenders
South Vietnam surrenders to Communist forces, and the ast Americans evacuate Siagon.
