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  • Vietnam
    43
    Imperial China (Qin and Han dynasties)

    Vietnam fell into Han control

    Vietnam
    43

    Vietnam fell into Han control.




  • Vietnam
    1858
    First Indochina War

    Vietnam was absorbed into French Indochina in stages

    Vietnam
    1858

    Vietnam was absorbed into French Indochina in stages between 1858 and 1887. Nationalism grew until World War II provided a break in French control. Early Vietnamese resistance centered on the intellectual Phan Bội Châu. Châu looked to Japan, which had modernized and was one of the few Asian nations to successfully resist European colonization.




  • Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Oct 8, 1881
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    1881 Haiphong Typhoon

    Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Oct 8, 1881

    The 1881 Haiphong typhoon was a typhoon that struck Haiphong, in Dai Nam (now Vietnam), and the northern part of the Captaincy General of the Philippines (now the Philippines) on October 8, 1881. About 300000 people were killed in and around Haiphong by the typhoon alone (casualties likely went up even in the storm's passing due to disease and starvation).




  • Kim Liên, Nam Đàn District, Nghe An, Vietnam
    Monday May 19, 1890
    Ho Chi Minh

    Born

    Kim Liên, Nam Đàn District, Nghe An, Vietnam
    Monday May 19, 1890

    Hồ Chí Minh was born as Nguyễn Sinh Cung in 1890 in the village of Hoàng Trù, his mother's village.




  • Vietnam
    Monday Jun 5, 1911
    Ho Chi Minh

    Working on a French Steamer

    Vietnam
    Monday Jun 5, 1911

    He worked as a kitchen helper on a French steamer, the Amiral de Latouche-Tréville while using the alias Văn Ba.




  • Vietnam
    1914
    First Indochina War

    Phan Bội Châu was imprisoned

    Vietnam
    1914

    Due to French pressure, Japan deported Phan Bội Châu to China. Witnessing Sun Yat-sen's Xinhai Revolution, Châu was inspired to commence the Viet Nam Quang Phục Hội movement in Guangzhou. From 1914 to 1917, he was imprisoned by Yuan Shikai's counterrevolutionary government.




  • Vietnam
    Sunday Mar 31, 1935
    Ho Chi Minh

    Member of the Politburo

    Vietnam
    Sunday Mar 31, 1935

    On 31 March 1935, Hồ Chí Minh became Member of the Politburo


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Sunday Sep 22, 1940
    First Indochina War

    Japan launched its invasion of French Indochina

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Sunday Sep 22, 1940

    Japan launched its invasion of French Indochina, mirroring its ally Germany's conquest of metropolitan France.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Oct, 1940
    First Indochina War

    The Franco-Thai War

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Oct, 1940

    From October 1940 to May 1941, during the Franco-Thai War, the Vichy French in Indochina defended their colony in a border conflict in which the forces of Thailand invaded while the Japanese sat on the sidelines.


  • Vietnam
    Tuesday Oct 29, 1940
    First Indochina War

    Phan Bội Châu death

    Vietnam
    Tuesday Oct 29, 1940

    Due to his popularity, Châu was spared from execution and placed under house arrest until his death in 1940.


  • Vietnam
    1941
    Ho Chi Minh

    Returning to Vietnam

    Vietnam
    1941

    In 1941, Hồ Chí Minh returned to Vietnam to lead the Việt Minh independence movement.


  • Vietnam
    1945
    First Indochina War

    The Vietnamese Famine

    Vietnam
    1945

    During the Vietnamese Famine of 1945, Hồ Chí Minh blamed ruthless Japanese exploitation and poor weather for up to two million Vietnamese deaths. The Việt Minh arranged a relief effort in the north, winning wide support there as a result.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    1945
    First Indochina War

    The Provisional Government of the French Republic wanted to restore its colonial rule in French Indochina

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    1945

    An armistice was signed between Japan and the United States on August 20, 1945. The Provisional Government of the French Republic wanted to restore its colonial rule in French Indochina as the final step of the Liberation of France.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Friday Mar 9, 1945
    First Indochina War

    The Second French Indochina Campaign

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Friday Mar 9, 1945

    In March 1945, Japan launched the Second French Indochina Campaign to oust the Vichy French and formally installed Emperor Bảo Đại as head of the nominally independent Empire of Vietnam. The Japanese arrested and imprisoned most of the French officials and military officers remaining in the country.


  • Vietnam
    Apr, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    Ho met with the OSS agent Archimedes Patti

    Vietnam
    Apr, 1945

    In April 1945, he met with the OSS agent Archimedes Patti and offered to provide intelligence to the allies provided that he could have "a line of communication with the allie". The OSS agreed to this and later sent a military team of OSS members to train his men and Hồ Chí Minh himself was treated for malaria and dysentery by an OSS doctor.


  • Vietnam
    Tuesday Aug 14, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    August Revolution (1945)

    Vietnam
    Tuesday Aug 14, 1945

    Ho Chi Minh's Việt Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam) launched revolution against French colonial rule in Vietnam, on August 14, 1945.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Saturday Aug 25, 1945
    First Indochina War

    Hồ Chí Minh was able to persuade Emperor Bảo Đại

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Saturday Aug 25, 1945

    Japanese forces allowed the Việt Minh and other nationalist groups to take over public buildings and weapons without resistance, which began the August Revolution. On August 25, Hồ Chí Minh was able to persuade Emperor Bảo Đại to abdicate. Bảo Đại was appointed "supreme advisor" to the new Việt Minh-led government in Hanoi.


  • Tonkin, Vietnam
    Sep, 1945
    First Indochina War

    Chinese forces entered Tonkin

    Tonkin, Vietnam
    Sep, 1945

    In September 1945, Chinese forces entered Tonkin, and a small British task force landed at Saigon.


  • Hanoi, Vietnam
    Sep, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    A Force of 200,000 Republic of China Army Troops arrived in Hanoi

    Hanoi, Vietnam
    Sep, 1945

    In September 1945, a force of 200,000 Republic of China Army troops arrived in Hanoi to accept the surrender of the Japanese occupiers in northern Indochina.


  • Vietnam
    Sep, 1945
    Vietnam War

    Vietnam Independence day

    Vietnam
    Sep, 1945

    Vietnam had just declared independence in September 1945.


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945
    First Indochina War

    The Democratic Republic of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945

    On V-J (Victory on Japan) Day, September 2, Hồ Chí Minh had proclaimed in Hanoi the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV).


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    1st President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945

    After the August Revolution, Ho Chi Minh became the 1st President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945

    Following Emperor Bảo Đại's abdication on 2 September 1945, Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam under the name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    1st Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 2, 1945

    Following the August Revolution (1945) organized by the Việt Minh, Hồ Chí Minh became Chairman of the Provisional Government (Premier of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and issued a Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Thursday Sep 13, 1945
    First Indochina War

    A Franco-British task force

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Thursday Sep 13, 1945

    On September 13, 1945, a Franco-British task force landed in Java, main island of the Dutch East Indies (for which independence was being sought by Sukarno), and Saigon, capital of Cochinchina (southern part of French Indochina), both being occupied by the Japanese and ruled by Field Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi, Commander-in-Chief of Japan's Southern Expeditionary Army Group based in Saigon.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Friday Sep 21, 1945
    First Indochina War

    Sir Douglas Gracey proclaimed martial law

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Friday Sep 21, 1945

    Allied troops in Saigon were an airborne detachment, two British companies of the Indian 20th Infantry Division and the French 5th Colonial Infantry Regiment, with British General Sir Douglas Gracey as supreme commander. The latter proclaimed martial law on September 21. The following night the Franco-British troops took control of Saigon.


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 23, 1945
    First Indochina War

    French forces overthrew the local DRV government

    Vietnam
    Sunday Sep 23, 1945

    On 23 September 1945, with the knowledge of the British commander in Saigon, French forces overthrew the local DRV (the Democratic Republic of Vietnam) government, and declared French authority restored in Cochinchina.


  • Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Monday Sep 24, 1945
    Ho Chi Minh

    The call for a General Strike

    Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Monday Sep 24, 1945

    In Saigon, with violence between rival Vietnamese factions and French forces increasing, the British commander, General Sir Douglas Gracey, declared martial law. On 24 September, the Việt Minh leaders responded with a call for a general strike.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Tuesday Oct 9, 1945
    First Indochina War

    General Leclerc arrived in Saigon, accompanied by French Colonel Massu's March Group

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Tuesday Oct 9, 1945

    On October 9, 1945, General Leclerc arrived in Saigon, accompanied by French Colonel Massu's March Group (Groupement de marche). Leclerc's primary objectives were to restore public order in south Vietnam and to militarize Tonkin (north Vietnam). Secondary objectives were to wait for French backup in view to take back Chinese-occupied Hanoi, then to negotiate with the Việt Minh officials.


  • Haiphong, Vietnam
    1946
    First Indochina War

    The French landed a military force

    Haiphong, Vietnam
    1946

    In early 1946, the French landed a military force at Haiphong, and negotiations took place about the future for Vietnam as a state within the French Union. Fighting broke out in Haiphong between the Việt Minh government and the French over a conflict of interest in import duty at the port.


  • Vietnam
    1946
    Ho Chi Minh

    The Democratic Republic of Vietnam government found that war was Inevitable

    Vietnam
    1946

    In the final days of 1946, after a year of diplomatic failure and many concessions in agreements, such as the Dalat and Fontainebleau conferences, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam government found that war was inevitable.


  • Vietnam
    Feb, 1946
    First Indochina War

    A Peace agreement

    Vietnam
    Feb, 1946

    Chiang Kai-shek threatened the French with war in response to manoeuvering by the French and Hồ Chí Minh against each other, forcing them to come to a peace agreement. In February 1946, he also forced the French to surrender and renounce all of their concessions and ports in China, such as Shanghai, in exchange for withdrawing from northern Indochina and allowing French troops to reoccupy the region starting in March 1946.


  • Vietnam
    Wednesday Mar 6, 1946
    Ho Chi Minh

    Recognizing Vietnam as an autonomous State

    Vietnam
    Wednesday Mar 6, 1946

    When Chiang forced the French to give the French concessions in Shanghai back to China in exchange for withdrawing from northern Indochina, he had no choice but to sign an agreement with France on 6 March 1946 in which Vietnam would be recognized as an autonomous state in the Indochinese Federation and the French Union. The agreement soon broke down.


  • Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Nov 23, 1946
    First Indochina War

    The French fleet began a naval bombardment of the Vietnamese sections of Haiphong

    Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Nov 23, 1946

    On November 23, 1946, the French fleet began a naval bombardment of the Vietnamese sections of Haiphong that killed over 6,000 Vietnamese civilians in one afternoon. The Việt Minh quickly agreed to a cease-fire and left the cities. This is known as the Haiphong incident.


  • Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Nov 23, 1946
    Ho Chi Minh

    Haiphong Incident

    Haiphong, Vietnam
    Saturday Nov 23, 1946

    The bombardment of Haiphong by French forces at Hanoi only strengthened the belief that France had no intention of allowing an autonomous, independent state in Vietnam. The bombardment of Haiphong reportedly killed more than 6000 Vietnamese civilians. French forces marched into Hanoi, now the capital city of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.


  • Vietnam
    Thursday Dec 19, 1946
    First Indochina War

    All-out war broke out

    Vietnam
    Thursday Dec 19, 1946

    After over one year of latent conflict, all-out war broke out in December 1946 between French and Việt Minh forces as Hồ Chí Minh and his government went underground.


  • Vietnam
    Thursday Dec 19, 1946
    Ho Chi Minh

    Ho Chi Minh declared war against The French Union

    Vietnam
    Thursday Dec 19, 1946

    On 19 December 1946, after the Haiphong incident, Ho Chi Minh declared war against the French Union, marking the beginning of the Indochina War.


  • Saigon, South Vietnam
    1948
    First Indochina War

    Alternative government in Saigon

    Saigon, South Vietnam
    1948

    In 1948, France started looking for means of opposing the Việt Minh politically, with an alternative government in Saigon. They began negotiations with the former emperor Bảo Đại to lead an "autonomous" government within the French Union of nations, the State of Vietnam.


  • Vietnam
    1949
    First Indochina War

    France officially recognized the nominal "independence" of the State of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    1949

    In 1949, France officially recognized the nominal "independence" of the State of Vietnam as an associated state within the French Union under Bảo Đại. However, France still controlled all foreign relations and every defense issue. The Việt Minh quickly denounced the government and stated that they wanted "real independence, not Bảo Đại independence". Within the framework of the French Union, France also granted independence to the other nations in Indochina, the Kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia.


  • Vietnam
    1949
    First Indochina War

    Newly established State of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    1949

    The French tried to stabilize Indochina by reorganizing it as a Federation of Associated States. In 1949, they put former Emperor Bảo Đại back in power, as the ruler of a newly established State of Vietnam.


  • Vietnam
    Jan, 1950
    First Indochina War

    Hồ Chí Minh's government gained recognition from China and the Soviet Union

    Vietnam
    Jan, 1950

    By January 1950, Hồ Chí Minh's government gained recognition from China and the Soviet Union. In the same year, the government of Bảo Đại gained recognition by the United States and the United Kingdom.


  • Vietnam
    Friday Jun 30, 1950
    First Indochina War

    The First U.S. Supplies For Indochina Were Delivered

    Vietnam
    Friday Jun 30, 1950

    On June 30, 1950, the first U.S. supplies for Indochina were delivered. In September, Truman sent the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to Indochina to assist the French.


  • Vietnam
    Jul, 1950
    Vietnam War

    The People's Republic of China (PRC) began assisting the Viet Minh

    Vietnam
    Jul, 1950

    Military advisors from the People's Republic of China (PRC) began assisting the Viet Minh ((League for the Independence of Vietnam) was a national independence coalition formed at Pác Bó by Hồ Chí Minh on May 19, 1941) in July 1950.


  • Vietnam
    Sep, 1950
    Vietnam War

    Military Assistance and Advisory Group

    Vietnam
    Sep, 1950

    In September 1950, the United States created a Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG) to screen French requests for aid, advise on strategy, and train Vietnamese soldiers. By 1954, the United States had spent US$1 billion in support of the French military effort, shouldering 80 percent of the cost of the war.


  • Vietnam
    Friday Sep 15, 1950
    First Indochina War

    Thái attacked Đông Khê

    Vietnam
    Friday Sep 15, 1950

    Major general Thái attacked Đông Khê on September 15, and Đông Khê fell on September 18.


  • Vietnam
    Saturday Jan 13, 1951
    First Indochina War

    Giáp moved the 308th and 312th Divisions

    Vietnam
    Saturday Jan 13, 1951

    On January 13, 1951, Giáp moved the 308th and 312th Divisions, made up of over 20,000 men, to attack Vĩnh Yên, 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Hanoi, which was manned by the 6,000-strong 9th Foreign Legion Brigade.


  • Vĩnh Yên, Vĩnh Phúc, Vietnam
    Tuesday Jan 16, 1951
    First Indochina War

    The Battle of Vĩnh Yên and Giáp's withdrawal

    Vĩnh Yên, Vĩnh Phúc, Vietnam
    Tuesday Jan 16, 1951

    By January 16, the Battle of Vĩnh Yên ended as Giáp was forced to withdraw, with over 6,000 of his troops killed, 8,000 wounded and 500 captured.


  • Saigon, South Vietnam
    Friday Jan 26, 1951
    First Indochina War

    USS Windham Bay delivered Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter aircraft to Saigon

    Saigon, South Vietnam
    Friday Jan 26, 1951

    USS Windham Bay delivered Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter aircraft to Saigon on January 26, 1951.


  • Vietnam
    Monday Feb 19, 1951
    Ho Chi Minh

    The Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Monday Feb 19, 1951

    On 19 February 1951, Hồ Chí Minh became the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam.


  • Mạo Khê, Vietnam
    Friday Mar 23, 1951
    First Indochina War

    Giáp tried again

    Mạo Khê, Vietnam
    Friday Mar 23, 1951

    On March 23, Giáp tried again, launching an attack against Mạo Khê, 20 miles (32 km) north of Haiphong. The 316th Division, composed of 11,000 men, with the partly rebuilt 308th and 312th Divisions in reserve, went forward and were beaten in bitter hand-to-hand fighting against French troops. Giap withdrew, having lost around 500 troops (by Việt Minh estimation) to over 3,000 (by French estimation) dead and wounded by March 28.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Tuesday May 29, 1951
    First Indochina War

    The Battle of the Day River

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Tuesday May 29, 1951

    Giáp launched yet another attack, the Battle of the Day River, on May 29 with the 304th Division at Phủ Lý, the 308th Division at Ninh Bình, and the main attack delivered by the 320th Division at Phat Diem south of Hanoi.


  • South Vietnam
    Tuesday Jul 31, 1951
    First Indochina War

    French General Charles Chanson was assassinated

    South Vietnam
    Tuesday Jul 31, 1951

    On July 31, French General Charles Chanson was assassinated during a propaganda suicide attack at Sa Đéc in South Vietnam that was blamed on the Việt Minh although it was argued in some quarters that Cao Đài nationalist Trình Minh Thế could have been involved in its planning.


  • Hòa Bình, Vietnam
    Wednesday Nov 14, 1951
    First Indochina War

    The French seized Hòa Bình

    Hòa Bình, Vietnam
    Wednesday Nov 14, 1951

    On November 14, 1951, the French seized Hòa Bình, 25 miles (40 km) west of the De Lattre Line, by a parachute drop and extended their perimeter.


  • Vietnam
    Jan, 1952
    First Indochina War

    General de Lattre fell ill from cancer

    Vietnam
    Jan, 1952

    In January, General de Lattre fell ill from cancer and had to return to France for treatment. He died there shortly thereafter and was replaced by General Raoul Salan as the overall commander of French forces in Indochina.


  • Hòa Bình, Vietnam
    Friday Feb 22, 1952
    First Indochina War

    The Việt Minh launched attacks on Hòa Bình

    Hòa Bình, Vietnam
    Friday Feb 22, 1952

    The Việt Minh launched attacks on Hòa Bình, forcing the French to withdraw back to their main positions on the De Lattre line by February 22, 1952.


  • Nà Sản, Sơn La Province, Vietnam
    Thursday Oct 2, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Battle of Nà Sản

    Nà Sản, Sơn La Province, Vietnam
    Thursday Oct 2, 1952

    In the Battle of Nà Sản, starting on October 2, French commanders began using "hedgehog" tactics, consisting in setting up well-defended outposts to get the Việt Minh out of the jungle and force them to fight conventional battles instead of using guerrilla tactics.


  • Nghĩa Lộ, Vietnam
    Friday Oct 17, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Giáp launched attacks against the French garrisons along Nghĩa Lộ

    Nghĩa Lộ, Vietnam
    Friday Oct 17, 1952

    On October 17, 1952, Giáp launched attacks against the French garrisons along Nghĩa Lộ, northwest of Hanoi, and overran much of the Black River valley, except for the airfield of Nà Sản where a strong French garrison entrenched.


  • Vietnam
    Wednesday Oct 29, 1952
    First Indochina War

    The largest operation in Indochina

    Vietnam
    Wednesday Oct 29, 1952

    On October 29, 1952, in the largest operation in Indochina to date, 30,000 French Union soldiers moved out from the De Lattre line to attack the Việt Minh supply dumps at Phú Yên.


  • Phú Thọ, Vietnam
    Wednesday Nov 5, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Salan took Phú Thọ

    Phú Thọ, Vietnam
    Wednesday Nov 5, 1952

    Salan took Phú Thọ on November 5.


  • Phu Doan, Vietnam
    Sunday Nov 9, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Salan Took Phu Doan

    Phu Doan, Vietnam
    Sunday Nov 9, 1952

    Salan took Phu Doan on November 9 by a parachute drop.


  • Phú Yên, Vietnam
    Thursday Nov 13, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Salan took Phú Yên

    Phú Yên, Vietnam
    Thursday Nov 13, 1952

    Salan took Phú Yên on November 13.


  • Vietnam
    Friday Nov 14, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Salan Correctly Guessed what The Việt Minh Were up To

    Vietnam
    Friday Nov 14, 1952

    Salan correctly guessed what the Việt Minh were up to and cancelled the operation on November 14, beginning to withdraw back to the De Lattre Line.


  • Chan Muong, Vietnam
    Monday Nov 17, 1952
    First Indochina War

    Việt Minh ambushed the French column

    Chan Muong, Vietnam
    Monday Nov 17, 1952

    The only major fighting during the operation came during the withdrawal, when the Việt Minh ambushed the French column at Chan Muong on November 17.


  • French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    May, 1953
    First Indochina War

    General Henri Navarre replaced Salan as supreme commander of French forces

    French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    May, 1953

    In May, General Henri Navarre replaced Salan as supreme commander of French forces in Indochina. He reported to the French government "... that there was no possibility of winning the war in Indo-China", saying that the best the French could hope for was a stalemate.


  • Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam
    Friday Nov 20, 1953
    First Indochina War

    Operation Castor

    Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam
    Friday Nov 20, 1953

    Operation Castor was launched on November 20, 1953, with 1,800 men of the French 1st and 2nd Airborne Battalions dropping into the valley of Điện Biên Phủ and sweeping aside the local Việt Minh garrison. The paratroopers gained control of a heart-shaped valley 12 miles (19 km) long and 8 miles (13 km) wide surrounded by heavily wooded hills. Encountering little opposition, the French and Tai units operating from Lai Châu to the north patrolled the hills.


  • South Vietnam
    Jan, 1954
    Vietnam War

    "Ngô Đình Diệm really did accomplish miracles" in South Vietnam

    South Vietnam
    Jan, 1954

    According to the Pentagon Papers, however, from 1954 to 1956 "Ngô Đình Diệm really did accomplish miracles" in South Vietnam: "It is almost certain that by 1956 the proportion which might have voted for Ho—in a free election against Diệm—would have been much smaller than eighty percent."


  • Vietnam
    1954
    First Indochina War

    Presenting The War as a Crusade against Communism

    Vietnam
    1954

    By 1954, despite official propaganda presenting the war as a "crusade against communism", the war in Indochina was still growing unpopular with the French public. The political stagnation of the Fourth Republic meant that France was unable to extract itself from the conflict.


  • Vicinity of Điện Biên Phủ, French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Saturday Mar 13, 1954
    First Indochina War

    Battle of Dien Bien Phu

    Vicinity of Điện Biên Phủ, French Indochina (Now Vietnam)
    Saturday Mar 13, 1954

    The Battle of Dien Bien Phu occurred in 1954 between Việt Minh forces under Võ Nguyên Giáp, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps, supported by US financing and Indochinese allies. The battle was fought near the village of Điện Biên Phủ in northern Vietnam and became the last major battle between the French and the Vietnamese in the First Indochina War.


  • Vietnam
    Tuesday May 4, 1954
    First Indochina War

    The Last French offensive Took Place

    Vietnam
    Tuesday May 4, 1954

    With French supply lines interrupted, the French position became untenable, particularly when the advent of the monsoon season made dropping supplies and reinforcements by parachute difficult. With defeat imminent, the French sought to hold on until the opening of the Geneva peace meeting on April 26. The last French offensive took place on May 4, but it was ineffective. The Việt Minh then began to hammer the outpost with newly supplied Soviet Katyusha rockets and other weaponry provided by communist allies.


  • Vietnam
    Thursday May 6, 1954
    First Indochina War

    The Final Fall Took Two Days

    Vietnam
    Thursday May 6, 1954

    The final fall took two days, May 6 and 7, during which the French fought on but were eventually overrun by a huge frontal assault. General Cogny, based in Hanoi, ordered General de Castries, who was commanding the outpost, to cease fire at 5:30 pm and to destroy all materiél (weapons, transmissions, etc.) to deny their use to the enemy. A formal order was given to not use the white flag so that the action would be considered a ceasefire instead of a surrender. Much of the fighting ended on May 7; however, the ceasefire was not respected on Isabelle, the isolated southern position, where the battle lasted until May 8, 1:00 am.


  • Điện Biên Phủ, Dien Bien, Vietnam
    Friday May 7, 1954
    Ho Chi Minh

    The Battle of Dien Bien Phu

    Điện Biên Phủ, Dien Bien, Vietnam
    Friday May 7, 1954

    In 1954, after the crushing defeat of French Union forces at Battle of Dien Bien Phu, 2300 French soldiers died during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu more than 10000 french soldiers have surrendered to Vieth Minh. France gave up its fight against the Việt Minh, losing 70,000 soldiers from the eight years of the First Indochina War.


  • Vietnam
    May, 1954
    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    French fortress of Dien Bien Phu fell to the Vietnamese Communists

    Vietnam
    May, 1954

    When the French fortress of Dien Bien Phu fell to the Vietnamese Communists in May 1954, Eisenhower refused to intervene despite urgings from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Vice President and the head of NCS.


  • Mang Yang, Vietnam
    Thursday Jun 24, 1954
    First Indochina War

    Battle of Mang Yang Pass

    Mang Yang, Vietnam
    Thursday Jun 24, 1954

    One month after Điện Biên Phủ, the composite Groupe Mobile 100 (GM100) of the French Union forces evacuated the An Khê outpost and was ambushed by a larger Việt Minh force at the Battle of Mang Yang Pass from June 24 to July 17.


  • South Vietnam
    Jul, 1954
    Vietnam War

    The State of Vietnam

    South Vietnam
    Jul, 1954

    The south, meanwhile, constituted the State of Vietnam, with Bảo Đại as Emperor and Ngô Đình Diệm (appointed in July 1954) as his prime minister. Neither the United States government nor Ngô Đình Diệm's State of Vietnam signed anything at the 1954 Geneva Conference.


  • Vietnam
    Thursday Jul 22, 1954
    First Indochina War

    Armistice and partition of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Thursday Jul 22, 1954

    In August 1954, in support to the French navy and the merchant navy, the U.S. Navy launched Operation Passage to Freedom and sent hundreds of ships, including USS Montague, in order to evacuate non-communist—especially Catholic—Vietnamese refugees from North Vietnam following the July 20, 1954, armistice and partition of Vietnam.


  • Vietnam
    Aug, 1954
    First Indochina War

    Operation Passage to Freedom

    Vietnam
    Aug, 1954

    In August Operation Passage to Freedom began, consisting of the evacuation of Catholic and loyalist Vietnamese civilians from communist North Vietnamese persecution.


  • Then South Vietnam
    1954
    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    Gen. J. Lawton Collins was made ambassador to "Free Vietnam"

    Then South Vietnam
    1954

    In late 1954, Gen. J. Lawton Collins was made ambassador to "Free Vietnam" (the term South Vietnam came into use in 1955), effectively elevating the country to sovereign status. Collins' instructions were to support the leader Ngo Dinh Diem in subverting communism, by helping him to build an army and wage a military campaign.


  • Then South Vietnam
    Feb, 1955
    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    Eisenhower dispatched the first American soldiers to Vietnam as military advisors to Diem's army

    Then South Vietnam
    Feb, 1955

    In February 1955, Eisenhower dispatched the first American soldiers to Vietnam as military advisors to Diem's army. After Diem announced the formation of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, commonly known as South Vietnam) in October, Eisenhower immediately recognized the new state and offered military, economic, and technical assistance.


  • South Vietnam
    Apr, 1955
    Vietnam War

    Diệm eliminated any political opposition in the south

    South Vietnam
    Apr, 1955

    From April to June 1955, Diệm eliminated any political opposition in the south by launching military operations against two religious groups: the Cao Đài and Hòa Hảo of Ba Cụt. The campaign also focused on the Bình Xuyên organized crime group, which was allied with members of the communist party secret police and had some military elements. As broad-based opposition to his harsh tactics mounted, Diệm increasingly sought to blame the communists.


  • Vietnam
    Sunday Oct 23, 1955
    Vietnam War

    Referendum on the future of the State of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Sunday Oct 23, 1955

    In a referendum on the future of the State of Vietnam on 23 October 1955, Diệm rigged the poll supervised by his brother Ngô Đình Nhu and was credited with 98.2 percent of the vote, including 133% in Saigon. His American advisors had recommended a more modest winning margin of "60 to 70 percent." Diệm, however, viewed the election as a test of authority.


  • Vietnam
    Apr, 1956
    Vietnam War

    The last French soldiers

    Vietnam
    Apr, 1956

    The last French soldiers were to leave Vietnam in April 1956.


  • Vietnam
    Jun, 1956
    Ho Chi Minh

    The Idea of overthrowing the South Vietnamese Government

    Vietnam
    Jun, 1956

    As early as June 1956 the idea of overthrowing the South Vietnamese government was presented at a politburo meeting.


  • South Vietnam
    Aug, 1956
    Vietnam War

    The death penalty against any activity deemed communist in August 1956

    South Vietnam
    Aug, 1956

    Beginning in the summer of 1955, Diệm launched the "Denounce the Communists" campaign, during which suspected communists and other anti-government elements were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, or executed. He instituted the death penalty against any activity deemed communist in August 1956.


  • Vietnam
    Thursday Nov 1, 1956
    Ho Chi Minh

    The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Thursday Nov 1, 1956

    On 1 November 1956, Hồ Chí Minh became the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Vietnam.


  • South Vietnam
    1957
    Vietnam War

    South Vietnam enjoyed its first peace in over a decade

    South Vietnam
    1957

    Between 1954 and 1957, there was large-scale but disorganized dissidence in the countryside, which the Diệm government succeeded in quelling. In early 1957, South Vietnam enjoyed its first peace in over a decade.


  • Vietnam
    1959
    Ho Chi Minh

    Hồ Chí Minh Informally chose Lê Duẩn to become the Next Party Leader

    Vietnam
    1959

    At the end of 1959, conscious that the national election would never be held and that Diem intended to purge opposing forces (mostly ex Việt Minh) from the South Vietnamese government, Hồ Chí Minh informally chose Lê Duẩn to become the next party leader.


  • Vietnam
    1959
    Ho Chi Minh

    Confirming a "People's War" on the South

    Vietnam
    1959

    In 1959, Hồ Chí Minh began urging the Politburo to send aid to the Việt Cộng in South Vietnam and a "people's war" on the South was approved at a session in January 1959 and this decision was confirmed by the Politburo in March.


  • Vietnam
    1959
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths until 1959

    Vietnam
    1959

    Between 1956 and 1959, 4 Americans were killed.


  • Vietnam
    Saturday Sep 10, 1960
    Ho Chi Minh

    Lê Duẩn was officially named Party Leader

    Vietnam
    Saturday Sep 10, 1960

    Lê Duẩn was officially named party leader in 1960, leaving Hồ to function in a secondary role as head of state and member of the Politburo. He nevertheless maintained considerable influence in the government.


  • Vietnam
    Dec, 1960
    Ho Chi Minh

    North Vietnam created the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Dec, 1960

    To counter the accusation that North Vietnam was violating the Geneva Accord, the independence of the Việt Cộng was stressed in Communist propaganda. North Vietnam created the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in December 1960 as a "united front", or political branch of the Viet Cong intended to encourage the participation of non-Communists.


  • Vietnam
    1960
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths In 1960

    Vietnam
    1960

    In 1960, 5 Americans and 2,223 Vietnamese were killed.


  • Vietnam
    1961
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths In 1961

    Vietnam
    1961

    In 1961, 16 Americans and 4,004 Vietnamese were killed.


  • Vietnam
    1962
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths In 1962

    Vietnam
    1962

    In 1962, 53 Americans and 4457 Vietnamese were killed.


  • Ấp Bắc Hamlet, Định Tường Province (now Tiền Giang Province), South Vietnam
    Wednesday Jan 2, 1963
    Vietnam War

    The Battle of Ap Bac

    Ấp Bắc Hamlet, Định Tường Province (now Tiền Giang Province), South Vietnam
    Wednesday Jan 2, 1963

    The inept performance of the South Vietnamese army was exemplified by failed actions such as the Battle of Ap Bac on 2 January 1963, in which a small band of Viet Cong won a battle against a much larger and better-equipped South Vietnamese force, many of whose officers seemed reluctant even to engage in combat.


  • Vietnam
    1963
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths In 1963

    Vietnam
    1963

    In 1963, 122 Americans and 5665 Vietnamese were killed.


  • North Vietnam
    Sunday Aug 2, 1964
    Vietnam War

    An Intelligence Mission along North Vietnam's coast

    North Vietnam
    Sunday Aug 2, 1964

    On 2 August 1964, USS Maddox, on an intelligence mission along North Vietnam's coast, allegedly fired upon and damaged several torpedo boats that had been stalking it in the Gulf of Tonkin.


  • North Vietnam
    Friday Aug 7, 1964
    Vietnam War

    The Second "Attack"

    North Vietnam
    Friday Aug 7, 1964

    The second "attack" led to retaliatory air strikes, and prompted Congress to approve the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution on 7 August 1964.


  • Vietnam
    1964
    Vietnam War

    Military Deaths In 1964

    Vietnam
    1964

    In 1964, 216 Americans and 7457 Vietnamese were killed.


  • Pleiku, South Vietnam
    Sunday Feb 7, 1965
    Vietnam War

    Attack on a U.S. Army base

    Pleiku, South Vietnam
    Sunday Feb 7, 1965

    The National Security Council recommended a three-stage escalation of the bombing of North Vietnam. Following an attack on a U.S. Army base in Pleiku on 7 February 1965, a series of air strikes was initiated.


  • North Vietnam
    Tuesday Mar 2, 1965
    Vietnam War

    Operation Rolling Thunder

    North Vietnam
    Tuesday Mar 2, 1965

    Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Arc Light expanded aerial bombardment and ground support operations.


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