Vietnam War Timeline

By alecmorris

  • Ho Chi Minh helps find the IndoChinese Communist Party

    Ho Chi Minh helps find the IndoChinese Communist Party

  • Japan Invades Vietnam

    Japan Invades Vietnam

  • Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh

    Ho Chi Minh establishes the Viet Minh

  • Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

    Ho Chi Minh declares an independent Vietnam, called the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

  • The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China.

    The Viet Minh receive military advisors and weapons from China.

  • The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.

    The United States pledges $15 million worth of military aid to France to help them fight in Vietnam.

  • The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

    The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

  • The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

    The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

  • South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president.

    South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president.

  • The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam.

    The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam.

  • South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup.

  • North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

    North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident).

  • In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

    In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

  • The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

    The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam.

  • President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses.

    President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses.

  • The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.

    The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive.

  • The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.

    The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.

  • Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

    Vietnam is unified as a communist country, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.