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Vietnam
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An international conference in Geneva negotiates a cease-fire between the French and the Viet Minh. Vietnam is temporarily divided along the 17th parallel. French forces move to South Vietnam. The Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, controls North Vietnam. When the French leave, South Vietnam comes under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem.
The Viet Minh attack the French fortress at Dien Bien Phu and succeed in defeating the French. The fall of Dien Bien Phu shocks France and brings an end to French Indochina.
Diem, the leader of South Vietnam, goes back on his word to hold elections with North Vietnam. In response, the North Vietnamese decide to unify South Vietnam and North Vietnam through military force rather than by political means. The North Vietnamese attack South Vietnam. The United States support non-communist South Vietnam.
The United States sends a full-scale movement of U.S. troops into South Vietnamese territory to prevent the South Vietnamese government from collapsing under attacks from the Viet Minh. The United States wants to retain its credibility with other nations that it will provide help to resist communist aggression or subversion.
The South Vietnamese Communist force, North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the United States meet to sign an agreement for a cease-fire to the Vietnam War. The terms also provide for the release of American prisoners of war from North Vietnam, the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from South Vietnam, the formation of a National Council of Reconciliation to help South Vietnam form a new government, and continued U.S. military and economic aid to South Vietnam.
After the withdrawal of US troops, fighting continues between North and South Vietnam. On the 30th of April what remains of the South Vietnamese government surrenders unconditionally. North Vietnamese troops occupy Saigon without a struggle and Vietnam is reunified under Communist control.
Vietnam is officially united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
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