September 2,1945. Ho Chi Minh, head of the Communist-dominated Viet Minh and leader of the Vietnamese resistance to the Japanese occupation, proclaims an independent Viet Nam. (Indochina had been under French control since 1893.)
March 1946. France recognizes limited Vietnamese independence and Ho's leadership but wins right to station troops in Viet Nam for five years.
June 1946. French local authorities proclaim a "provisional republic" of South Viet Nam.
December 1946. Skirmishing between French and Vietnamese. Ho goes underground and launches guerrilla war.
December 1946-March 1947. French gain control...
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