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France colonized Indochina
Indochina was made up of Vietnam, Tonkin, Annam, Cochin China, Cambodia, and Laos. -
Period: to
Ho Chi Minh receives western, Marxist training
Is trained in the Soviet Union as an agent of the Communist International -
Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist Party
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Nazi Germany takes control of France
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Japanese troops invade Vietnam
The Japanese successfully occupy Vietnam and faced very little French resistance. -
Viet Minh movement is formed
The movement, formed by Ho Chi Minh and other communists, was meant to resist French and Japanese occuptation. -
Japanese troops carry out a coup against the French in Indochina
Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia become independent as a result -
Japan is defeated by allied powers in WWII
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Ho Chi Minh declares an independent North Vietnam
Models a declaration similar to the Declaration of Independence in a bid to gain US support, which fails. -
Viet Minh begins guerilla war against the French
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Truman Doctrine
President Harry Truman says that US foreign policy is to help countries whose stability is threatened by communism. -
People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union formally recognize the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Both also begin to aid Vietnam with economically and militarily. -
President Eisenhower's "domino theory"
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Geneva Accords
Vietnam is divided along the 17th parallel. Unifying elections are supposed to be held in 2 years, when the country will then unify. The elections are never held.