Vietnam War Dates Quiz

Ho Chi Minh is the name of the Viet Cong leader. Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese communist revolutionary and politician who played a key role in the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, later known as North Vietnam. He was the leader of the Viet Minh, a nationalist and communist organization that fought for Vietnamese independence from French colonial rule. Ho Chi Minh became the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was a prominent figure in the conflict against the United States.

In August 1964, North Vietnamese patrol boats fired on US ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. This event, known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident, was a significant escalation of the Vietnam War. It led to the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution by the US Congress, which gave President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to escalate US involvement in the conflict. The incident marked a turning point in the war and further deepened US military involvement in Vietnam.

The National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLA) or more commonly known as the Viet Cong was established in 1960. This organization was formed by communist forces in South Vietnam with the goal of overthrowing the South Vietnamese government and reunifying the country under communist rule. The Viet Cong played a significant role in the Vietnam War, employing guerrilla tactics and receiving support from North Vietnam. By the late 1960s, the Viet Cong had become a formidable force, posing a major challenge to the United States and its allies in the conflict.

In 1954, the USA prevented elections from taking place in Vietnam because they feared that the Communists would emerge victorious. By intervening and preventing the elections, the USA aimed to prevent the spread of communism in the region and maintain its influence in Vietnam. This decision was part of the USA's broader strategy to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War.

In 1955, the USA helped Dinh Diem establish the Republic of South Vietnam. This support was part of the USA's broader strategy to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War. Dinh Diem was seen as a strong anti-communist leader who could resist the influence of North Vietnam and its communist allies. The USA provided military aid, economic assistance, and political support to help stabilize and strengthen the newly formed Republic of South Vietnam.

On 8 March 1965, 3500 US marines, combat troops rather than advisors, came ashore at Da Nang. This event marked a significant escalation of US involvement in the Vietnam War. Prior to this, the US had primarily been providing military advisors and support to South Vietnam. The deployment of combat troops signaled a shift towards direct military intervention and a more active role in the conflict.