French paratroopers at beginning of Vietnam War

April 1, 1946 - Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam - World War II became a trigger for Vietnam seeking independence from France as well as to oppose Japanese occupation. In 1941 a Vietnamese socialist activist HO CHI MINH founds Viet Minh - a national liberation movement which conquers Hanoi in what became known as the August Revolution. HO CHI MINH declares Vietnam to be independent, naming the country the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) but fails to be recognised by French authorities and the U.S. president Harrys Truman. French forces entered Vietnam and fighting quickly broke out between French and Viet Minh forces. By 1949, when the French reinstalled Bao Dai as figurehead, the two sides had fought to a standstill. The fighting between the French and Viet Minh came to be called the First Indochina War and would last for another five years, until 1954. PICTURED: French paratroops at the beginning of the Vietnam War

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Activist Authorities Bien Broke Conquers Declares Dien Entered Fails Figurehead Fought Founds Hanoi Indochina Minh Naming Oppose Paratroops Quickly Recognized Reinstalled Seeking Standstill Trigger Truman Viet Vietnamese

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