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Vietnam War Events
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Nixon Starts Vietnamization
Vietnamization is the gradual process of withdrawing US troops from Vietnam and letting the South Vietnamese do most of the fighting. Nixon withdraws 25,000 soldiers. -
Henry Kissinger Negotiates
President Nixon appoints Kissinger as a special assistant for national security. Kissinger has secret negotiations with Le Duc Tho: North Vietnam's representative. -
US Public learns about the My Lai Massacre
Lieutenant William Calley led a US platoon in the spring of 1968. He commanded the massacre of unarmed civilians in South Vietnam, specifically in the hamlet of My Lai. Calley later goes to prison for his role in the massacre. -
Nixon's Announcement
Nixon tells the American public that US troops invaded Cambodia. The goal was to destroy Vietcong bases located there. -
Congress Repeals
Congress decides to decrease the presidential control over wars and repeals the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This repealment removes the president's almost absolute control of the Vietnam War. -
Christmas Bombings
Peace negotiations between the US and North Vietnam break down. Nixon administration responds by ordering air raids: American B-52s dropped tons of bombs on North Vietnamese targets for eleven days non-stop. These bombings are later called "Christmas Bombings". -
Vietnam War Agreement
The US and North Vietnam sign an agreement, ending the war. Both countries agree that the US will withdraw its troops, and both countries will exchange prisoners of war. -
War Powers Act
Congress passes the War Powers Act to limit executive power in wartime. The act makes every president inform Congress about where they sent troops abroad within 48 hours. If Congress does not approve troop commitment within 60 to 90 days, the president must withdraw the troops. -
Watergate
President Nixon and members of his administration committed secret and often illegal activities that took place from 1972-1974. These activities include bugging the offices of political opponents, and breaking into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters. Nixon later resigns from his presidency. -
Domino Effect
Jan 1975: Cambodia becomes controlled by a Communist group called the Khmer Rouge
Apr 30, 1975: North Vietnam captures Saigon, South Vietnam's capital- renamed Ho Chi Minh City