Vietnam War

  • May 6, 1428

    Independence from the Chinese

    Le Loi rebells against Chinese invasion
  • French Controls

    French won over vietnam. With Laos and Cambodia combined, it becomes one of French's best possessions.
  • Japanese control

    Japan takes over Indochina, Philippines, Malaya, and Indonesia. French government is left in control, but Japan control it.
  • US helps French

    US aids French in capturing Vietnam again
  • Alliance of South Vietnam and US

    US forms alliance with South Vietnam, in hopes to stop communism from spreading in Asia
  • Battle of Dien Bien Phu

    As a result Vietnam is sepered from French control
  • Geneva Conference

    Attempted to resolved the government problems in Vietnam
  • Elections Occured

    General elections occured, communist was presumed to win, however US wouldn't support the agreement
  • Assistance from North Vietnam

    Military assistance spread to the Vietminh who stayed in the south
  • Media hit

    Media argued the war wouldn't be won if America supported the bad Diem
  • Death of South Leader

    Diem and his brother are murdered. US advisors are upset because it ruins their plans to fly them out of the country.
  • Gulf of Tonkin attacks

    Ships in the gulf are attacked. Congress is asked to use military force to prevent more aggression.
  • Operation Rolling Thunder

    US bombing strikes against North Vietnam, by President Johnson
  • Drafts

    13,700 men are drafted by selective services
  • Anti War Demonstration

    The first national anti war demonstration is held in WA DC by Students for a Democratic Society
  • Tet Offensive

    The Vietnamese New Year is observed, however the north attacks the south on this day
  • Vietnamization and Bombing

    Nixon's end of war plan to turn fighting over to South Vietnam.
    A widespread bombing of Cambodia was ordered by Nixon, in attempt to destroy the north's military supply
  • Demonstrators killed

    Demonstrators are killed by National Guard troops. 4 killed and 9 injured. Many staff and students of colleges go on strike after this.
  • War Powers Act

    Congress repeals Tonkin Gulf Resolutoin of 1964, which gave power to the president to take necessary measure to repel armed attacks against US forces. It is repealed in response to Nixon thinking he can carry on the war
  • Pentagon Papers Leaked

    The New York Times began publishing secret documents of the government known as the Pentaho Papers, giving information to the public about how the government misled Americans about the course of the war
  • Invasion of North to South

    North invaded south, hoping to reveal weakness of Nixon’s Vietnamization. Response was Nixon ordering heavy bombing of the north.
  • Paris Cease-fire

    Negotiators in Paris announce a cease-fire. US pledges to withdraw remaining forces from south and help rebuild Vietnam
  • Take Over by North

    North Vietnamese troops took over the north part of south Vietnam the south Vietnamese retreated in panic
  • End

    Remaining Americans are evacuated from Vietnam, the Saigon government surrenders unconditionally. End of War.