Vietnam was a part of China from 1700 up until 1908, when they were allowed independence from China. Vietnam, however, soon got into a depression around 1920 but got out of it during the Second World War, when they made supplies and manufactured stuff for the allies while staying neutral. Soon, however, Hồ Chí Minh and the Communist guerrillas began a civil war in Vietnam in 1955. The Soviet Union got a bit involved and send huge support to the Communists. Later in 1959, however, Japan, Korea and China send huge support for the Democratic Vietnamese side and by 1965, the Communists had lost and Hồ Chí Minh was killed. The Soviet Union then backed off, and Vietnam was united under democracy.