1945
August – ‘August Revolution’ in Saigon ousts Japanese
September 2 – Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnamese independence
French colonial forces re-occupy Vietnam and are resisted by Viet Minh – the first Indo-China war begins
1954
U.S finances cost of French war in Vietnam and uses air force in battle of Dien Bien Phu. Eisenhower Administration considers use of atomic weapons to save besieged French forces
May 7 – French colonial forces surrender to Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu
July 7 – Ngo Dinh Diem elevated to power in Saigon
July 20 – Fourteen nations sign Geneva Agreement to determine the political future of Vietnam. The United States does not sign. The Agreement temporarily divides Vietnam at ‘Seventeenth Parallel’ but stipulates democratic election within two years to unify Vietnam under single national government
1955
November – U.S military ‘advisors’ arrive in South Vietnam to support Diem regime
1956
U.S and Diem scuttle election promised at Geneva (fear of Ho Chi Minh victory)
Wilfred Burchett publishes North of the Seventeenth Parallel and explains the epic implications of the Vietnam conflict
1956-60
U.S pours in military combat ‘advisors’ and money to support Diem army in repressing opposition
1959
November – ANZ Congress for International Cooperation and Disarmament (CICD) formed at Peace Congress in Melbourne
1960
September – Democratic Republic of Vietnam (‘North Vietnam’) decides to increase support for resistance to Diem in the South
December 20 – Formation of National Liberation Front (NLF) of South Vietnam
Menzies Government legislates for amendments to the Crimes Act. The amendments introduce harsh new penalties for ‘Treason’
1961
February 15 – NLF Liberation Army established and begins armed resistance to U.S-backed Diem regime
Download the full timeline here, or click through below for a year-by-year timeline (with pictures) of this momentous period.
‘Taking to the Streets against the Vietnam War’: A Timeline History of Australian Protest 1962-1972
©Ken Mansell