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Eisenhower Explains His Domino Theory
The basis of the domino theory came from the Korean War because the United States learned that communism was becoming more of a threat in other countries outside of Europe. They were worried that it would end up spreading through all of South East Asia if it took over South Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Minh Land Reforms
Ho Chi Minh, following the communist doctrine, orders sweeping "land reforms" in North Vietnam. Thousands of people classified as landowners and wealthy farmers are imprisoned, tortured, or executed. In a mass exodus, many Vietnamese families flee and head to South Vietnam. -
Failing Health
Ho Chi Minh, facing failing health, is replaced by Le Duan as head of North Vietnam’s ruling communist party. The Viet Cong would have to continue the struggle against South Vietnam utilizing mostly their own resources. His election may have been a concession to the southerners who were displeased with the lack of support from the Congress for their cause. -
American’s Involvement In Vietnam Begins
France has left as they realize that they can't defeat Northern Vietnam and the Communists. U.S. felt confident about its military - "We can easily defeat this enemy." while Vietnam feels that they are fighting for their independence. -
Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution
USS Maddox is allegedly attacked by North Vietnamese patrol torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin (the attack is later disputed), leading President Johnson to call for air strikes on North Vietnamese patrol boat bases. 2 U.S. aircraft are shot down and one U.S. pilot, Everett Alvarez, Jr., becomes the first U.S. airman to be taken prisoner by North Vietnam. -
The History Place
President Johnson launches a three-year campaign of sustained bombing of targets in North Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Operation Rolling Thunder. The same month, U.S. Marines land on beaches near Da Nang, South Vietnam as the first American combat troops to enter Vietnam. -
Tet offensive
The Tet Offensive was strategically launched on the festival of the Tet in Vietnam by the North. They were more likely destined for success because during the Tet where the firework displays and celebrations distracted them from the attacks that were about the take place. Massive country wide surprise attack on over 100 South Vietnamese cities by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong. -
My Lai massacre
The My Lai massacre was the mass murder conducted by a unit of the U.S army on March 16, 1968 of 347 to 504 unarmed citizens, all of whom were women, children, and elderly. Initially, the massacre was considered a military victory, claiming that 128 Veit Cong and only twenty-two citizens were killed. -
My Lai Massacre
The My Lai Massacre was the mass murder conducted by a unit of the U.S army on March 16, 1968 of 347 to 504 unarmed citizens, all of whom were women, children and elderly. Initially, the massacre was considered a military victory, claiming that 128 Viet Cong and only twenty-two citizens were killed. -
A Lost
Ho Chi Minh dies. President Nixon begins to reduce US ground troops in Vietnam as domestic public opposition to the war grows. -
Vietnamization Introduced
Nixon introduced Vietnamization where air attacks were increased, including attacks on Laos & Cambodia - Ho Chi Minh Trail. The plan was to train, equip and expand South Vietnamese forces so that they could take over more military responsibilities for their own defense against the North communists, and at the same time, allowed the U.S. to gradually withdraw its combat troops from South Vietnam. -
Invasion Of Cambodia
On this day in 1970, President Richard Nixon authorized U.S. combat troops to cross the border from South Vietnam into Cambodia. The preemptive strike was aimed at forestalling communist North Vietnamese attacks into South Vietnam from their sanctuaries there even as the South Vietnamese were being primed to assume more responsibility for the conduct of the war and U.S. forces were being withdrawn. -
Kent State Student Shot
The prologue to the tragedy was probably provided by Richard Nixon himself when he announced the U.S. intervention in Cambodia. The next day after it was announced, Kent State students held peaceful protests rallies on campus. -
Nixon Wins Landslide Victory
Richard Milhous Nixon won re-election as President of the United States in a landslide victory rivaling the greatest of American political history. Nixon had both Democratic & Republican propaganda techniques on hand which is how he won in a landslide; 60.67% of the popular vote, and a whopping 96.7% of the electoral vote.
Nixon would've been disqualified had anyone known about his doings, but he and his fellow spies kept quiet and didn't draw attention. -
Fall Of Saigon
The fall of Saigon, April 30, 1975, marked the end of the Vietnam War and the capture of Saigon by North Vietnamese forces. It was a very important event because it marked not only the end of the Vietnam War, but the beginning of the formal reunification of Vietnam under Communist Rule. -
The Victor
Time Declares Ho Chi Minh "The Victor". Just days after the government of South Vietnam surrendered to the VC and North Vietnamese armies, Ho Chi Minh appears on the cover of Time magazine, this time with the heading, "The Victor."
