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France recongizes Vietnam as a "free state" within the French troops replace Chinese in the North.
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French General Etienne Valluy attempts, and fails, to wipe out the Vietminh in one stroke.
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Bao Dai and President Vincent Auriol of France sign the Elysee Agreement. As part of the agreement the French pledge to assist in the building of a national anti-Communist army.
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The United States sends $15 million dollars in military aid to the French for the war in Indochina. Included in the aid package is a military mission and military advisors
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Responding to the defeat of the French by the Vietminh at Dienbienphu, President Eisenhower outlines the Domino Theory: "You have a row of dominoes set up. You knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly."
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Diem defeats Bao Dai in rigged election and proclaims himself President of Republic of Vietnam.
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Following the surrender of Japan Allied Forces Ho Chi Minh and his people's congress create the National Liberation Commeittee of Vietnam.
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The US Military Assistance Advisor Group (MAAG) assumes responsibility, from French, for training South Vietnamese forces.
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Communist insurgent activity in South Vietnam begins. Guerrillas assassinate more than 400 South Vietnamese officials. Thirty-seven armed companies are organized along the Mekong Delta.
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North Vietnam forms Group 559 to begin infiltrating cadres and weapons into South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Trail will become a strategic target for future military attacks.