4.3 | Vietnam War Timeline

  • Japan Surrenders to Allies

    Japan Surrenders to Allies
    A political event, Vietnam declares independence under Ho Chi Minh after this. However, France sought to reclaim it, thus the struggle for freedom began.
  • Geneva Accords Divide Vietnam

    Geneva Accords Divide Vietnam
    Political event, France is defeated and the Geneva Accords split Vietnam at the 17th parallel into communist North and non communist South.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Incident

    Gulf of Tonkin Incident
    Military event, attacks on U.S. ships urged Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, escalating tensions.
  • US Ground Troops Deployed

    US Ground Troops Deployed
    Military event, the U.S. sends troops to combat for the first time, signaling full scale war.
  • Tet Offensive

    Tet Offensive
    Military event, North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launching surprise attacks, shocking Americans.
  • US Invades Cambodia

    US Invades Cambodia
    Military event, President Nixon expands the war into Cambodia sparking protests.
  • Paris Peace Accords

    Paris Peace Accords
    Political event where the US withdrew troops, fighting continued but the US ended involvement.
  • Fall of Saigon

    Fall of Saigon
    North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, this was a military event that caused Vietnam to be united under Communism.
  • Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

    Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
    Political event, the US honors those who serve in Vietnam with a memorial, reflecting recognition and healing.