1945 ⟶ Viet Minh Seizes Power in Hanoi
At a spontaneous non-communist meeting in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh...
Year
1945
🇻🇳 Viet Minh Seizes Power in Hanoi
At a spontaneous non-communist meeting in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh assume a leading role in the movement to wrest power from the French. With the Japanese still in control of Indochina in the interim, Bảo Đại goes along because he thinks that the Viet Minh are still working with the American OSS and could guarantee independence for Vietnam. Later, Ho Chi Minh's guerrillas occupy Hanoi and proclaim a provisional government.⟶
Viet MinhHo Chi MinhHanoiVietnamIndependenceFrench IndochinaWorld War IIPost-WarColonialism
🎌 Japanese Overthrow Vichy Government in Vietnam, Proclaim Independence
Amid rumours of a possible American invasion, Japanese overthrow the Vichy French Jean Decoux Government which had been operating independently as the colonial government of Vietnam: they proclaim an "independent" Empire of Vietnam, with Emperor Bảo Đại as nominal ruler. Premier Trần Trọng Kim forms the first Vietnamese government.⟶
VietnamJapanFranceColonialismIndependenceWorld War IIPolitical InstabilityCoup
🗺️ Vietnam Divided; French Colonial Claims Granted
In order to disarm the Japanese in Vietnam, the Allies divide the country in half at the 16th parallel. Chinese Nationalists will move in and disarm the Japanese north of the parallel while the British will move in and do the same in the south. During the conference, representatives from France request the return of all French pre-war colonies in Indochina. Their request is granted.⟶
VietnamIndochinaColonialismFrench IndochinaAlliesPost-WarDivisionChinese NationalistsBritish
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh Declares Vietnamese Independence
Ho Chi Minh issues his Proclamation of Independence, drawing heavily upon the American Declaration of Independence from a copy provided by the Office of Strategic Services. Ho declares himself president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and pursues American recognition but is repeatedly ignored by President Truman.⟶
VietnamIndependenceHo Chi MinhProclamationUSAsiaPost-WarColonialismPoliticsTruman