Timeline

What follows is an accurate timeline of the events leading up to, during and following the Vietnam War.

1945Edit

MarchEdit

• The Japanese establish an independent Vietnam under the leadership Emperor Bao Dai between March 9 and 11.

AugustEdit

• On August 15, the Japanese surrender and thus ending World War II.

SeptemberEdit

• 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.

1946Edit

MarchEdit

• France recognizes the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as an independent state within the Indochinese Union.

NovemberEdit

• On November 23, Haiphong is shelled by French warships.

DecemberEdit

• The Vietminh launch attacks on French garrisons, the First Indochina War begins.

1949Edit

MarchEdit

• Vietnam becomes an associated state within the French Union with Bao Dai as its leader.

OctoberEdit

• On October 1, the People's Republic of China is established.

1950Edit

JanuaryEdit

• Both the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China recognize Ho Chi Minh's Democratic Republic of Vietnam as legitimate.

JulyEdit

• On July 26, President Truman grants the French $15 million of aid for their war effort in French Indochina.

1953Edit

OctoberEdit

• Laos gains independence from France, though it remains part of the Indochinese Union.

NovemberEdit

• Cambodia gains its independence from France on November 9.

1954Edit

JanuaryEdit

• The Geneva Conference of 1954 convenes to solve the Korean War and help to establish peace in French Indochina.

MarchEdit

• On March 13, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins.

MayEdit

• On May 7, French forces surrender at Dien Bien Phu.

JuneEdit

• On June 16, Ngo Dinh Diem becomes prime minister of South Vietnam.

JulyEdit

• On July 21, the Geneva Accords are signed thus ending the First Indochina War and dividing Vietnam at the 17th Parallel.

SeptemberEdit

• On September 8, the South-East Asia Treaty Organization(SEATO) is established.

OctoberEdit

• 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.