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Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh, a communist, declares National Vietnamese Independence from France. Initially supported by the United States. -
The Indochina War
During World War II the U.S. initially supported Vietnamese independence from France. But due to conflicting political interests flipped their stance and supported France retaking the colony from the Japapense, What resulted was the beginning of the Indochina War waged between the French and Vietnamese, which was heavily funded by the U.S. -
End of the Indochina War
After a 7 year war, the French reign eventually fell and the Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, assumed power of Northern Vietnam, now the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the South resumed under Emperor Bao Dai and French influence. -
Geneva Converence
Focused on ending the Indochina war and restore peace to the area.The Geneva Accord separates Vietnam into the North (communist) and south (non-communist) "zones". -
Election of Ngo Dinh Diem
President of South Vietnam. Marks the establishment of the Republic of Vietnam. -
Kennedy Elected President
While it was President Eisenhower who introduced the Domino Theory concept, the idea that if one country fell to communism the rest woud soon follow, Kennedy did support the battle to contain communist influence. Kennedy continued to aid the war effort including sending more U.S. miliatry advisers to Vietnam. -
Assassination of Diem
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) arrested Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu, There was enormous discontent with Diem's rule, including religious reasons since Diem was Catholic and much of the population was buddhist. -
Kennedy Assassination
While there is some speculation, many what-if questions, there is a widespread belief that if Kennedy had remained alive and been re-elected, he would have severely cut the war effort and ended U.S. involvement in Vietnam. -
Gulf on Tonkin Incident
It was widely reported that the U.S.S. Maddox, a U.S. naval ship was attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo ships, and engaged in battle. Two days later, another similar report surfaced. These "actions" influenced congress, President Johnson and U.S. public opinion to commence open warfare against North Vietnam. It has later surfaced that these incidents may have been fabricated. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
The U.S. launched a strategic bombing campaign to put pressure on the North Vietnam communist leaders. Marks the first sustained American assault and is a testament to the U.S. involvement in the conflict. -
U.S. Ground Troops in Vietnam
While U.S. military advisers, as high as 16,000 under Kennedy, had been dispatched to Vietnam to aid and train, this marked the first combat soldiers deployed to fight. -
Tet Offensive
70,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a series of attacks in more than 100 cities in South Vietnam. Although the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces held the communists back, it marked a pivotal turning point in favor of the North. Attacks were televised heavily in the U.S. and discouraged support at home. -
My Lai Massacre
Called "the most shocking episode of the Vietnam War," as many as 500 Vietnamese civilians, including women and children were murdered by U.S. forces. A massive cover up followed, but later surfaced and anti-war sentiment only increased. -
Nixon Elected President
One of Nixon's election promises was to pull U.S. troops out of Vietnam. However, while troops left South Vietnam, Nixon redirected forces to Cambodia and continued to engage in conflict. As late as 1972, the war continued under his presidency. -
Easter Offensive
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) from the North attacked the ARVN and U.S. Forces with the largest offensive operation since the Korean War. The North claimed massive chunks of land and bargaining position as the Paris agreements neared, but also sustained massive death tolls. -
Paris Peace Accords
Aimed to establish peace and end the war in Vietnam. Ended direct U.S. military combat, as well as temporarily ended war in the region. -
Last U.S. Troops Leave Vietnam
North Vietnam troops still remained in the Southern territories. Communist control and infrastructure continued to expand into the south. Nixon had promised to provide assistance to Saigon if necesarry, but Nixon was later impeached and the promise was never upheld. -
Fall of Saigon
Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam was captured PARV and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, or the Viet Cong. Marked the reunification of Vietnam under the socialist republic. Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, evacuated almost every U.S. citizen from the region as well as 10s of thousands of South Vietnamese refugees.
