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Ho Chi Minh creates provisional government
Ho Chi Minh and his peoples created the National Liberation Comittee to form a provisional government after the surrender of Japan to allied forces. This is important because Japan transfered all of their powers to Ho Chi Minh. -
Vietnam Declares Independence
Ho claimed the Deomocratic Republic of Vietnam in hopes that he would recieve recognition from the United States and other western countries. -
First Indochina war
Following months of steady deteriorating relations, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam launches its first consorted attack agasint the French. Minh was launching a rebellion agaisnt the French authorites governing the colonies of French Indochina. This was the first step in starting a long and aggressive war. -
US aids French
The US sends $15 million in military aid to the French for the war in Indochina. Included in the package was Military admission and military advisors. This entered the US into the fight against Vietnam. We pledged our support and people to France we were now full in. -
Geneva Confrence Begins
The US, Britain, China, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos meet to negotiate a solution for southeast Asia. This was important because most people thought this would be the end to the battle and that things would get resolved, This is also important because the backfire of this convention kick started the war. An agreement was made and Diem refused to accept even though America urged him to. -
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Pre and Post Veitnam War
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SEATO
SEATO is established. Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States form SEATO agreeing to consult on matters of military affairs with Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam joining later. The commitment was less binding and strict as the requirement of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). -
Eisenhower pledges support
President Eisenhower pledged America's support go Dinh Diem's government and Vietnam's military forces. He expected social and land reforms so he sent technical and financial support and aid to South Vietnam. -
Training of Vietnam army
Eisenhower's administration sends the first U.S. advisers to South Vietnam on February 12th to train the South Vietnamese Army. -
Sovreign nation
Ngo Dinh Diem declares, on October 26th, the Republic of South Vietnam a sovereign nation and himself as its first President. U.S. President Eisenhower pledges support and continued military aid.
Diem appoints many high level positions to family and friends. Diem's younger brother Ngo Dinh Nhu becomes his chief advisor. U.S. advisors attempt to increase Diem's popularity with America's style of political rallies and tours around the new nation; although Diem's style (distant and dictatorial) of -
Geneva Confrence Battle
The deadline set by the Geneva Conference for unifying election passes in July. Elections did not take place in either North or South Vietnam. President Diem outlaws those factions that oppose him. He also prohibits the election of Village chiefs, appointing supporters of his government. Ho Chi Minh in North Vietnam, without surprise, had done the same. -
US Rejects proposal
Unwilling to recognize Communist North Vietnam the U.S. rejects a Soviet Union proposal for a permanent division of North and South Vietnam, with the United Nations admitting each as a separate nation -
Minh Trail
Viet Minh begin construction of a supply route through North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam, that becomes known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail becomes 1500 miles of jungle and mountain passes that provided a contant flow of soldiers and supplies into the South Vietnam highlands. It was a 6 month Journey in 1958 but with improvements the trip is shortened to six weeks in 1968. During the 70s a fuel pipeline was added to the supply route. Most of the -
American Troops
It is announced on March 6 by the U.S. that 3,500 American troops will be sent to Vietnam. -
Operation Hastings
U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese troops execute Operation Hastings, on July 15th, against 10,000 NVA troops in Quang Tri Province. This is the war's largest combined military operation so far. -
Years losses
By the year's end, U.S. troop levels reach 389,000. 1966 brings 5008 combat deaths with the wounded numbering 30,093. Sniper fire; small-arms fire from ambushes; handmade booby traps; and mines planted across the countryside by the Viet Cong and local sympathizers, cause over half of the American causalities. Allies fighting in Vietnam include 45,000 soldiers from South Korea and 7000 from Australia.
It is estimated that 89,000 soldiers from North Vietnam have infiltrated into South Vietnam by -
CORDS
Attempting to pacify the South Vietnamese in hopes to regain their loyalty, a new U.S. agency is formed called Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS). CORDS distributes $850 million worth of food, medical supplies, machinery, and numerous other household items. CORDS also trains local militias to protect their villages from the Viet Cong. The U.S. hoped to regain the "hearts and minds" of common villagers -
Battle of Dak
The Battle of Dak (located nearly 280 miles north of Saigon) begins on November 3rd continuing to December 1st. The U.S. 4th Infantry Division preempts a planned North Vietnamese Army attack against the Special Forces camp located in the mountain area along the border of Cambodia and Laos. A Presidential Unit Citation is earned by the 4th Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry for exhibiting bravery during the battle. U.S. and South Vietnamese ground attacks supported by massive air strike. -
Rolling Thunder
During Rolling Thunder, a three and a half year bombing campaign on North Vietnam, had little overall effect in halting the supply lines and transport of soldiers into South Vietnam. The operation seemed to have backfired with North Vietnamese civilians rallying around the Communist leaders. Civilian death toll is estimated at 52,000.Rolling Thunder dropped an average of 800 tons of bombs each day for a total of one million tons of ordnance. B-52 bombers flew 2380 sorties. -
Draft Lottery
On November 19th Congress gives President Nixon authority to institute the "draft lottery" system that would induct 19-year-old men before those older. The prime eligibility of 7 years is reduced to only one beginning on a man's 19th birthday, ending on his 20th birthday. The president signed the bill into law on November 26th. -
Peace attempt
President Nixon announced on January 25th an eight point peace plan and tells the nation that Henry Kissinger had been in secret negotiations with North Vietnam. In true character, Hanoi rejects Nixon's attempts at peace. -
Peace Negotiations
On December 26th, North Vietnam agrees to resume peace negotiations within five days if President Nixon ended the bombing. -
Paris peace accords
The U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Viet Cong sign the Paris Peace Accords on January 27th.The U.S. will cease all military actions and withdraw all such personnel within 60 days. North Vietnam agree to an immediate cease-fire and the release of all American POWs within 60 days.Vietnam remains divided with South Vietnam having two governments, President Thieu's regime and one led by the Viet Cong.150,000 NVA troops remain in South Vietnam. -
Vietnam Cooperation
Vietnam-US cooperation begins regarding American MIA's with first joint field investigation -
War is OVER
US restores diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
