Key Events

1945-In march the Japanese declare French rule at and end in Vietnam and Emperor Bao Dai proclaims “independence” in March.

1947-The Truman Doctrine is issued, promising U.S. support for armed opposition to communists across the globe.

1948-The Cold War with the Soviet Union opens most dramatically with the Berlin Airlift ordered by President Truman.

1949-In March France recognizes an “independent” state of Vietnam; Bao Dai becomes its leader in June. During July, Laos is also recognized as an independent state with ties to France.

1950-The newly established People's Republic of China, followed by the Soviet Union, recognizes the Democratic Republic of Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh in January

1952-400 U.S. advisers and supply personnel are serving in Vietnam. Toward the end of the year the French casualties approach 90,000. General Giap begins to develop a strategy to draw the French.

1956-The French command disbands and French troops leave South Vietnam

1957-On January 3, 1957 the International Control Commission declares that both North and South Vietnam had failed to comply with the Geneva Agreements

1960 -Southern veterans of the resistance to the French declare open rebellion against Diem and fight a battalion-sized engagement with ARVN troops. Diem shortly thereafter declares a state of emergency and asks for increased U.S. military aid. During November 11 and 12 a military coup is launched against Diem, but fails.

1962-In 1962, Students for a Democratic Society (S. D. S.) holds its first convention in Port Huron, Michigan and becomes the first student organization to take a position against the growing war in Vietnam.

1962-The Cuban Missile Crises occurs in October.

1966-In January the Senate Foreign Relations Committee begins hearings questioning the legality of the U.S. military operations in Vietnam.

1966-Elements of the media begin to refer to a “credibility gap” between the administration's statements and the public's willingness to believe them.

1969-President Nixon appoints Henry Cabot Lodge as Chief U.S. negotiator in Paris. Formal truce negotiations begin in Paris in late January, but for weeks talks revolve around seemingly inane issues such as the shape of the negotiating table.

1970-In February Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho begin secret peace talks in Paris

1972-In January, Nixon announces new troop withdrawals and reveals that there are secret talks being conducted with the North Vietnamese, and discloses his peace proposals. In March the formal talks in Paris are broken off. The North Vietnamese begin a major offensive across the DMZ. This is the biggest battle of the war. In April bombing near Hanoi resumes. In May Nixon orders the mining of Haiphong harbor.

1973-In mid January the President suspends military operations. Later that month Kissinger and Le Duc Tho talk over a six day period and initiate the agreement for a cease-fire - the Paris Peace Accord. The Secretary of State William Rogers, the foreign ministers of South and North Vietnam, and the Provisional Revolutionary Government sign this agreement on January 23.

1973-In August Nixon resigns as a result of Watergate, and is replaced by Gerald Ford (Spiro Agnew, who had been vice president had earlier been forced to resign in 1973 in a corruption scandal.). Ford immediately pardons Nixon for “any and all” crimes he may have committed while in office.

1975-In February, and March the PAVN attack key cities in the Central Highlands, During the disorganized withdrawal, panic ensues and there is a collapse in the Region II area.

1975-In April the Lon Nol government collapses and the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot begin a reign of terror which stuns the entire world.

1975-Thieu resigns on April 20th. The government is turned over to a neutralist Duong Van Minh.