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The Ho Chi Minh Trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a near 10,000 mile trail, constructed by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. It stretched from North Vietnam, through Laos and Cambodia, and entered South Vietnam at several points. The North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong used the trail to transport troops and supplies to different points in South Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Trail was also a large part of the success of the Tet Offensive. The trail was a large contributor to the Viet Cong's success. -
Assassination of President Diem
Following a military takeover of the government, President Diem and his brother were captured and killed. This created political chaos throughout the region and further increased the United States' involvement. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Following the attack on the USS Maddox by North Vietnamese forces - which may or may not have happened - the US Congress approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gave President Johnson absolute power in deciding what action was necessary in defending South Vietnam and US personnel. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
President Johnson decided to begin a massive bombing campaign of North Vietnam. Named "Operation Rolling Thunder," many US and South Vietnamese planes dropped bombs on North Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The intent of the bombing campaign was to slow the transportation of supplies and troops into South Vietnam. By the end of Rolling Thunder - in 1968 - more than 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped, and almost 900 US aircraft were downed. -
Tet Offensive
During the lunar holiday "Tet," the Viet Cong launched a massive attack on over 100 South Vietnamese cities and towns. It was meant to stir up conflict between the South Vietnamese people, and also to get the United States to scale back their involvement with the South Vietnamese military. It became clear to the United States that no matter how many troops were in South Vietnam, the Viet Cong could attack any city in any point of the country. -
The Fall of Saigon
Under President Nixon's "Vietnamization," the United States was consistently pulling troops out of Vietnam and handing security over to the South Vietnamese. However, with the decreasing troops in South Vietnam, it made it easier for the Viet Cong to advance deeper into the country with little resistance. A last minute helicopter rescue of the US citizens at the US embassy marked the last US citizens leaving the country and the end of the Vietnam War. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
