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Truman Doctrine
The United States takes over giving funds to Greece and Turkey fearing that if they didn't it would spread communism as far as India. This became know as the "Domino Theory" and began their fears of the spread of communism. -
Pathet Lao
In May 1950, America began giving help to the French in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. After this a new communist group rises up called the Pathet Lao. With the Pathet Lao being formed Whashington began to send more help to Vietnam including 250 pilots. -
Defeat at Dien Bien Phu
In 1954 French forces occupy the town of Dien Bien Phu. This cut off the supply line for the Vietminh. The Vietminh then surrounded and attack the town. The French were defeated and withdrew. -
Geneva Conference
Negotiations were held in Geneva, Switzerland to try to end the fighting in Vietnam. It was decided here that Vietnam would be divided along the 17th parrallel with the North having the Ho Chi Minh and the South having a westernized regime. -
Kennedy in Charge
Kennedy took office in 1961. Determined to prove the Republicans wrong by showing he was strongly against communism, Kennedy sent more troops to Vietnam. He increased the number of soldiers from around 2,000 to 15,000. -
Diem Overthrown
Henry Cabot lodge an American ambassador arrived in Vietnam to learn that the unpopularity of Diem had some Vietnamese generals worried. The generals were plotting to overthrow Diem and they did so November 1, 1963 after launching a coup. -
Tonkin Resolution
Congress passes a law giving President Johnson almost complete power to do what is needed during the Vietnam war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
President Johnson sent in airstrikes in retaliation against an attack by the Vietcong on American soldiers. -
Teach-Ins
Teach-Ins were held by 122 colleges in May of 1965 by use of radio. They were held by antiwar demonstrators. -
Operation Junction City
Over 240 helicopters swept over the province of Tay Ninh trying to destroy as many Vietcong bases north of Saigon as possible. -
Losing Support
People that became angry with the war began a march on the Pentagon protesting against it. -
Tet Offensive
Northern Vietnam attacked of 100 Southern Vietnam cities. They were expecting to gain support along the way but they were met with resistance. -
My Lai Massacre
An American platoon under the command of Lieutenant William Calley killed more than 200 Vietnamese people in My Lai. William Calley was eventually put in prison for his actions. -
We are out of Here
President Nixon announces that they will begin to withdraw troops out of Vietnam. -
Vietnamization
A plan that Nixon proposed to encourage the South Vietnamese to take more effort in fighting the war. The hope was that they could then start pulling out more American troups. -
Kent State
With the invasion of Cambodia many people felt like the war was spreading. This set off many protests, one of them being at Kent State, where the Ohio National guard fired on students without orders. -
Good to be 18
The 21st amendment was passed lowering the overall voting age to 18. -
Christmas Bombings
American pilots dropped bombs on North Vietnam for 12 straight days only stopping on Christmas day. -
War Powers Act
With Nixon losing support from Congress, Congress passed the War Powers Act limiting the power the President has. The act made it so that Presidents has to go through Congress when soldiers enter war. -
Surrender of Southern Vietnam.
With the fall of their capitol, Saigon, the Southern Vietnamese surrender to the North. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdR2Iktffaw
