The First Vietnam War - 1946-1954
In order to get rid of Chinese
troops in the north, Ho accepts French return to the north in
March 1946;
French accept Vietnam independence in theory
French renege on agreements; attack Haiphong in November 1946
to seize the customs office
Viet Minh retreat to countryside and attack French all over Vietnam
in December, 1946
French are determined to retain Vietnam: substantial economic
interests in rice and rubber; fear loss
of Vietnam will mean loss of all of empire; national glory appealed
to French reactionaries
1949 communist victory in China produces division within the Viet
Minh over relationship to China and
role of communism in the revolution
Soviets move to bring Chinese and Vietnamese into the Soviet bloc
- recognize DRV
U.S. and France attempt to find an Vietnamese alternative to the
Viet Minh: Bao Dai
U.S. aid to France increases dramatically: 80% of war cost by
1953
French forces cannot make a dent in Viet Minh control of the countryside;
war continues with large
casualties on both sides; French fight conventional war, Vietnamese
fight guerilla war; French become
war-weary
End of war in Korea in July 1953; military resources move from
China to Vietnam
French try to lure Viet Minh into a conventional battle at Dien
Bien Phu; expect large victory
Viet Minh use massive efforts to bring artillery up the mountains;
surround Dien Bien Phu and launch bombardment
in March 1954
U.S. considers the use of nuclear weapons to save the French;
Eisenhower rejects the idea
Dien Bien Phu falls on May 7, 1954 with French surrender
French government makes plans for withdrawal from Vietnam - June
1954
Geneva Conference, with the U.S., Britain, France, Soviet Union,
and China discuss Vietnam
Geneva Agreement on July 21, 1954:
temporary division of Vietnam at 17th parallel
French congregate forces in the south
elections throughout nation by July 1956 for a unified government
Viet Minh accept agreement after pressure by Soviets and Chinese
U.S. opposes Geneva agreement and moves to back a South Vietnamese government in Ngo Dinh Diem;
U.S. refuses to sign the Geneva agreement.
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