Vietnam

Nationalism

Jan 1, 1900

Nationalism bacame a powerful force in Vietnam. Vietnam was ruled by the French, but the Vietnamese pushed for independence from the French government.

Ho Chi Minh

Mar 8, 1930

Ho Chi Minh returned to Southeast Asia and founded the IndoChinese Communist Party to overthrow the French. His actions caused issues and foced him to flee.

Vietminh

Apr 12, 1941

Ho Chi Minh organized a nationalist group called the Vietminh. This caused the United States to send troops to aid the Vietminh.

Independence

Apr 12, 1945

Japan surrendered control of IndoChina. Vietnam was an independent nation. A Vietnam Declaration of Independence is created.

French Control

Apr 12, 1946

The French didn't want Vietnam to be independent, so they returned and drove out Vietminh forces.

New Government

Jun 12, 1949

The French set up a goverment in Vietnam. The Vietnamese fought agaist the French, and the French asked the United States for help. United States agreed because they didn't want Vietnam to be communist.

Eisenhower

Apr 15, 1953

President Eisenhower agreed to support France.

War Costs

Jan 15, 1954

The United States paid three fourths of France's war costs. Eisenhower defended the war with the domino effect.

Dien Bien Mhu

Mar 7, 1954

The French troops were defeated by the Vietminh at Dien Bien Mhu. France made peace and withdrew from the war.

Geneva Accords

Nov 17, 1954

The Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into North and South through the 17th parallel.

Nationwide Elections

May 13, 1956

Ngo Dinh Diem refused to participate in a nationwide election in Vietnam.

Vietcong

Apr 12, 1961

The new guerilla warfare army,or vietcong, established thousands of government officials and established control over the countryside.

Kennedy

Nov 12, 1961

President Kennedy took office. He agreed to support South Vietnam. He saw they were important in fighting communism.

Banning Religion

Mar 12, 1963

Diem banned traditional religious flags for Buddha's birthday. This led to protest and opposition.

Diem

Jul 12, 1963

American ambassador, Henry Lodge, arrived in Vietnam. He found that Vietnamese generals were plotting against Diem. Shortly after, Diem was executed.

Gulf of Tonkin

Feb 12, 1964

President Johnson sent American aircraft to attack North Vietnamese ships because they fired on United States ships in the Gulf Of Tonkin.

Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that authorized the president take the necessary measures to prevent further aggression.

South Vietnam

Nov 12, 1964

The Vietcong began attacking American advisers in South Vietnam.

Vietcong

Feb 12, 1965

The Vietcong attacks escalated. The attack on the attack on the base of Pleiku led Johnson to send aircraft to attack North Vietnam.

Combat Troops

Mar 12, 1965

Johnson expanded involvement in Vietnam. He started a bombing compaign called Operation Rolling Thunder. Johnson ordered the first combat troops on Vietnam.

1965-1967: The War Continued

Apr 12, 1966

The United States used napalm and Agent Orange in the war. Vietcong and North Vietnam didn't show any signs of surrendering. At this point, 6,700 American troops were killed. Americans started to question our involvement in the war.

1965- 1968: The War at Home

Apr 12, 1967

In the United States, officials presectuted Americans for refusing to serve in the army. The war caused protests in the states.

A Nation Divided

Jan 30, 1968

The United States was a divided nation because of the war. Vietcong and North Vietnam launched a surprise attack. After a month of fighting, generals called for more troops in Vietnam. Americans did not support President Johnson.

Election of 1968

Mar 31, 1968

Johnson stated he was not running for president again because of the nations disapproval. Nixon won the election. He promised to end the war and restore order.

The Massacre at My Lai

Nov 13, 1969

At the massacre at My Lai, 200 unarmed Vietnamese civilians were killed. This made Americans dislike the war even more.

Voting

Jun 13, 1971

The 26th Ammendment gave all citizens 18 or older the right to vote.

An Agreement

Jan 27, 1973

Both sides signed an agreement that would end the war and restore peace in Vietnam.

North Vietnam

Mar 13, 1975

North Vietnam launched a full scale attack on South Vietnam. The United States thought there was peace, so they withdrew. North Vietnam captured South Vietnam's capitol. Nixon would not return to help them.

War Is Over

Apr 13, 1982

The United States dedicated the Vietnam Vetrans Memorial in Washington D.C.