Mrs. Ruland's Advanced Placement United States History Class
Unit 13 — Postwar America: At Home and Abroad, 1945—
Fact Sheet on Vietnam
1945-1954 - French Renege on Agreements - Indochinese War Begins
1945 Japanese surrender. Ho Chi Minh declares independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
1946 French forces return, recognize authority of Ho regime over North, promise plebiscite in South. Later French establish separate puppet government in South and issue ultimatum to Ho to disband all Vietminh military forces.
1949 French attempt to rally popular support, establish autonomous State of Vietnam based in Saigon under Emperor Bao Dai.
1950 US and allies recognize Bao Dai government and US begins economic and military aid. Russia and China recognize Ho regime.
1954 Dien Bien Phu symbolizes final defeat of French.
1954-1956 - Geneva Accords Promise Elections - Diem and US Renege
1954 Geneva Agreement provides for two temporary military regroupment zones, French in South and Vietminh in North. Reunification promised after nation-wide elections scheduled for July 1956. Political reprisals and foreign military bases or troops prohibited; US refuses to sign but agrees to honor agreement.
1954 SEATO established. South Vietnam designated as a "protected state."
1955 Diem (Prime Minister under Bao Dai) refuses Hanoi proposal to consult on promised elections and proclaims self President of independent Republic of Vietnam.
1956-1963 - Diem Regime Alienates Vietnamese - US Involvement Increases
1956 Diem ordinance allows arrest of anyone considered dangerous to public order. Elected village councils replaced by government appointees. Last French troops withdraw; US military advisory group remains to train and equip South Vietnamese army.
1958 Clandestine radio (Voice of South Vietnam Liberation Front) begins operation in South. Denounced by Hanoi as provocative.
1960 Anti-communist leaders in South condemn Diem undemocratic policies. Hanoi sanctions formation of United Front and overthrow of Diem regime. National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF) formally established.
1961 Visits of Vice President Johnson and other officials to South Vietnam result in increase in US advisors to 18,000.
1962 NLF calls for implementation of Geneva accords, withdrawal of US military personnel and coalition government in South with neutral foreign policy.
1963 Buddhist uprising against Diem. Kennedy calls for popular reforms in South Vietnam and suspends US aid. Diem regime overthrown.
1964-1967 - Prelude to Tet - US Military Involvement Increases
1964 Gen. Westmoreland takes command of MACV. Attack on USS Maddox in Gulf of Tonkin leads to Tonkin Gulf Resolution. Viet Cong attacks intensify and North Vietnamese regiment enters South Vietnam.
1965 OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER begins sustained air war against North Vietnam. First US combat troops land near Da Nang. B-52s bomb enemy locations in South Vietnam. Christmas truce.
1966 Tet cease fire. US bombers hit Hanoi and Haiphong. Attacks on military shipping in North Vietnamese coastal waters.
1967 US Marines and AVRN troops enter DMZ. US forces total 486,000.
Last updated December 27, 2002
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2011, All rights reserved
