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

1945[]

March[]

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

August[]

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

September[]

  • 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[]

March[]

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

November[]

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

December[]

1949[]

March[]

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

October[]

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

1950[]

January[]

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

July[]

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

1953[]

October[]

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

November[]

  • Cambodia gains its independence from France on November 9.

1954[]

January[]

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

March[]

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

May[]

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

June[]

July[]

September[]

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

October[]

  • 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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