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Vietnam declares independence
Ho Chi Minh, president of North Vietnam, declared its independence. He started his speech with words from the Decloration of Independence. -
U.S. Military aid to French Indochina
President Truman wanted to block any further communist advancement in Asia. To help prevent this, he added $10 million to $100 million in 1951 -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
A surprise attack was launched from the Viet Minh on the large french base located in the northern Vietnam mountains. This attack caused 12,000 French soldiers to give up the fight within the following month. -
Geneva Accords
an agreement that was made between the French and the Viet Minh which consisted for the fighting to end and vietnam was temporarily split along the 17th parallel. The Viet Minh moved north of the line while the French moved to the south. -
Buddhist Protest of Diem Policies
South Vietnamese police killed nine buddist demonstrators. Several monks protested by burning themselves alive for the public to see that they would not live under the Diem leader. -
Gulf of Tonkinin Resolution
the resolution allowed the president to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression. it also allowed the president to expand the U.S. role in the conflict. -
Debate on Vietnam: Argument from Doves
Doves- advocates of a peaceful solution in Vietnam through negotiation and compromise. argued about widespread bombing, sending U.S. troops into combat, and the U.S. should not be in forgin affairs. -
Debate on Vietnam: Argument from Hawks
Hawks- people who favored expanding U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. a group that included Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and top military leaders. they argued about the domino theory, against a poliicy of appeasement, and American credibility. -
First U.S. combat troops land in Vietnam
3,500 troops were deploied on a beach near Da Nang, South Vietnam. there was strangely a warm greeting from the Vietnamese. they wasted no time preparing for a Viet Cong attack. -
Operation Starlite
the first major assult was called Operation Starlite. 1,500 Viet Cong soldiers set an attack on a U.S. air base near the coast. 600 Viet Congs died while 45 marine troops died durring the battle.
