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January |
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6th |
Elections for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) National Assembly held throughout Tonkin and Annam and covertly in Cochin-china |
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7th |
Franco-Cambodian Modus Vivendi signed, giving Cambodia autonomy within the French Union |
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28th |
General Douglas Gracey departs from Saigon |
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February |
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28th |
Sino-French agreement signed at Chungking provides for the withdrawal of Chinese troops from northern Indochina |
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March |
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2nd |
The first session of the DRV National Assembly elects Ho Chi Minh as president of the and asks him to form a government |
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4th |
Lord Mountbatten deactivates Indochina as a territory under Allied Southeast Asia Command and transfers all control to the French authorities |
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6th |
Ho Chi Minh signs a preliminary agreement with the French in Hanoi, which states that:
- The French government recognizes DRV as a free state, having its own government, parliament, army and treasury belonging to the Indo-Chinese Federation and to the French Union.
The French government agrees to carry out a referendum on the question of the reunification of the three "ky" (Tonkin, Annam and Cochin-China)
- The government of Vietnam declares itself ready to accept amicably the French army when, in conformance with international agreements, it relives the Chinese Forces.
- Each of the parties will take all necessary measures to stop hostilities immediately, to keep military forces in their respective positions and to create the favourable climate necessary to the immediate opening of friendly and frank negotiations.
Read the complete March 6th agreement
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7th |
Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap defend the March 6th Accord before a crowd of 100,000 in Hanoi |
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8th |
French troops land in Haiphong, the chief port in Tonkin |
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18th |
French troops enter Hanoi |
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29th |
Dr. Phat, member of the Cochin-China Consultative Council, is assassinated by members of the Viet Minh |
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May |
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3rd |
Dr. Thach, member of the Cochin-China Consultative Council, is assassinated |
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June |
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1st |
French announce the formation of an independent Cochin-China within the Indochina Federation and the French Union |
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10th |
Chinese troops complete their withdrawal from Hanoi |
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July |
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6th |
Franco-Viet Nam conference opens at Fontainebleau, near Paris. Phan Van Dong protests against the creation of the independent state of Cochin China and accuses the French authorities of having violated the accords of March 6 |
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August |
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1st |
Vietnam delegation suspend negotiations at Fontainebleau after discovering that the French are convening a conference at Da Lat in southern Annam |
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6th |
With the DRV leadership at Fontainebleau the French High Commissioner organises a conference at Da Lat to study the status of the Indochina Federation within the French Union. Representatives are invited from Cambodia, Laos, Cochin-China and South Annam |
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14th |
Da Lat conference closes with the recommendation being to create a federal Assembly of States |
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27th |
Franco-Laotian Modus Vivendi signed, giving Laos autonomy within the French Union |
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September |
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10th |
Fontainebleau conference ends after the parties fail to reach an agreement on Cochin-China |
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14th |
Prior to leaving Paris, Ho Chi Minh signs a Franco – Vietnam Modus Vivendi:
- Reciprocal rights for citizens
- Reciprocal property rights and the restoration of all seized French property in Vietnam
- Indochina Piastre tied to the Franc
- Establishment of a customs union and free trade within the Indochina Federation
- To restore public order in Cochin-China:
a) All fighting to cease
b) All political / military prisoners to be released except those accused of common crimes
c) All unfriendly propaganda to cease
Read the complete Franco – Vietnam Modus Vivendi
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November |
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8th |
The National Assembly ratifies the new constitution of the DRV |
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20th |
A French patrol boat is fired on whilst seizing a Chinese junk in Haiphong harbor. Viet Minh forces also attack a French detachment at Langson |
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29th |
French state they have "positive proof that Ho Chi Minh is in direct contact with Moscow and is receiving advice and instructions from the Soviets" |
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30th |
French issue an ultimatum ordering Viet Minh forces to withdraw from HaIphong. The Hanoi embassy reports that the Vietnamese Government has partly evacuated the city |
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December |
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19th |
War breaks out after Viet Minh agents destroy the Hanoi power plant and attack French civilians. French forces respond by driving Viet Minh guerrillas out of Hanoi |