What follows is an accurate timeline of the events leading up to, during and following the Vietnam War.
1945
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March
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- The Japanese establish an independent Vietnam under the leadership Emperor Bao Dai between March 9 and 11.
August
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- On August 15, the Japanese surrender and thus ending World War II.
September
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- On September 5, Ho Chi Minh leads the Vietminh to Hanoi and declares a Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
- On September 15, British forces begin to disarm Japanese forces and restore power to the French.
1946
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March
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- France recognizes the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as an independent state within the Indochinese Union.
November
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- On November 23, Haiphong is shelled by French warships.
December
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- The Vietminh launch attacks on French garrisons, the First Indochina War begins.
1949
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March
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- Vietnam becomes an associated state within the French Union with Bao Dai as its leader.
October
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- On October 1, the People's Republic of China is established.
1950
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January
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- Both the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China recognize Ho Chi Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam as legitimate.
July
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- On July 26, President Truman grants the French $15 million of aid for their war effort in French Indochina.
1953
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October
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- Laos gains independence from France, though it remains part of the Indochinese Union.
November
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- Cambodia gains its independence from France on November 9.
1954
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January
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- The Geneva Conference of 1954 convenes to solve the Korean War and help to establish peace in French Indochina.
March
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- On March 13, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins.
May
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- On May 7, French forces surrender at Dien Bien Phu.
June
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- On June 16, Ngo Dinh Diem becomes prime minister of South Vietnam.
July
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- On July 21, the Geneva Accords are signed thus ending the First Indochina War and dividing Vietnam at the 17th Parallel.
September
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- On September 8, the South-East Asia Treaty Organization(SEATO) is established.
October
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- On October 11, the Vietminh take over leadership of North Vietnam.
- On October 24, President Eisenhower promises increased aid for Ngo Dinh Diem's regime.
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