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France Gains Control Over Vietnam
Vietnam was independent for quite sometime, but was unable to resist the forces of the French in the 1800's. This was not something that was appreciated by the people of Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh Gains Control
Ho Chi Minh is a communist leader that gained control over Vietnam in the 1920's. -
Ho Chi Minh Creates A Resistance
Ho Chi Minh created a resistance in Vietnam to push back French control and gain more independence. This was a concern to America because we were concerned about communism. America joined the French in a war against communism. -
The Geneva Conference
The Geneva Conference was put together in hopes of unifying Vietnam and coming to an agreement. There was quite a bit of tension among many countries. This meeting was in hopes to ease some of that tension and avoid anymore blood shed. -
Geneva Conference Ends
A cease fire was agreed upon by the end of the conference. The other big change was that Vietnam was split at the 17th parallel. Vietminh controlled the north and the French controled the south. -
Ngo Dinh Diem Takes Over The South
Ngo Dinh Diem takes control after the Geneva Conference. Ngo was against communism but very bold. He abused his power. This caused him to be unliked by many and a target to underground missions to get him overturned. -
JFK Is Elected President
John F. Kennedy is elected as president. This was an important time to get elected because there were so many important decisions that needed to be made. -
JFK Sends Troops to Vietnam
Kennedy had hopes that if we are able to take down one communist country the others will surrender their ways. This was known as the domino effect. Kennedy sent 16,000 troops to Vietnam and soon after 500 were wounded or killed. -
Henry Cabot Lodge Was Sent To South Vietnam
Lodge was sent to Vietnam to talk to Diem and discuss the concerns that were held with his abuse of power. He refused to talk to anyone. This caused an uproar and he was assassinated before Americans could remove him and bring him to safety. -
John F. Kennedy Is Assassinated
JFK was assassinated in a parade in Dallas, TX. There are many ideas and conspiracies as to why this happened. Lee Harvey Oswald was the assumed assassinator, but was killed before his trial was held. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Takes Office
After the death of JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson took over as president. There were many things going on during this time in America. One including our increasing involvment in Vietnam. -
Anti War Movements Begin To Arise
This was a very difficult time for Americans. They witnesses a lot of death and they were not bought into the agenda of the war. By 1965 there were many people standing up for what they believed in. Anti War protesting began to rise up. -
The Number of American Troops Rises
By 1967 the number of troops had reached almost 500,000 people. There was a lot of negative feelings toward this because there was not success found with ending communism with North Vietnam. -
Brutal Loses in Vietnam
This way was messy and dangerous. America lost many, many troops. The troops that North Vietnam had were called Viet Cong. In one night they went into 100 cites 12 US bases and killed countless people. -
Tet Offensive
Tet Offensive was on of the largest military plans in the Vietnam war. This was one of the attempts that would help build moral if it were successful, but be harmful if it failed. It was considered successful because North Vietnam did not take South. -
Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency
When the Tet Offensive plan was not taken as well as he had hoped, his presidency was scrutinized by American's. Elections came up in 1959. Richard Nixon took office after Johnson. -
President Nixon Makes National Affairs Priority
President Nixon understood that the Vietnam war had gotten out of hand. He worked to bring troops home. In 1972 there were 24,000 troops remaining in Vietnam. -
Peace Offering By The North
The North offereed Nixon a peace offering that they accepted. Nixon still wanted to offer help to the South, but this was the first time America saw a real end to this long, brutal war.
