Vietnam War

Dien Bien Phu is overrun by the Vietminh

Mar 13, 1954

Vietmin forces moved to attack Lai Chau based on Chinese insistence.

Eisenhower explains his "Domino Theory"

Apr 7, 1954

The belief that if one country is under communist control that the other surrounding countries will also eventually be communist.

Geneva Accords signed

Apr 26, 1954

Ten documents that were signed by nine countries including three military agreements, 6 unilateral declarations, and the final declaration of the Geneva conference.

Ngo Dinh Diem refuses to take part in elections

Aug 31, 1954

Ngo knew that the north wouldn't have free elections and the north would have won because of it.

U.S. supported coup of Diem

Oct 29, 1963

America sought the coup against then South Vietnamese leader without thinking of consequences. The consequences were physical and against the American soldiers.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Aug 7, 1964

The resolution was passed in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident. The military troops were increased greatly for defense.

Operation Rolling Thunder begins

Mar 2, 1965

A gradual and careful bombardment campaign carried out by the 2nd air division.

Protests at the Democratic Convention

1967

Chicago promised to maintain law and order after Anti-Vietnam war protesters promised to protest throughout the streets in the city.

America's involvement in Vietnam begins

1968

America wanted their joining of their war to prevent the spread of communism. They thought if they could win then communism would be terminated in that part of the war.

Tet offensive

Jan 30, 1968

Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces launched an attack on targets in South Vietnam. The US support for the Vietnam war weakened greatly.

My Lai massacre

Mar 16, 1968

America's eleventh division went into My Lai in South Vietnam. They were told to search for and destroy any residents living there. The american's were trying to find the 48th Viet Cong Batallion that was supposedly there.

Nixon wins the election

Nov 5, 1968

Former vice president, Nixon won the election as a Republican.

Vietnamization introduced

1969

Nixon wanted South Vietnam to take more responsibility for the war, specifically fighting it.

Invasion of Cambodia

Apr 30, 1970

Nixon televised that American's would be invading Cambodia. Their goal was to ruin North Vietnamese supply lines accompanied by South Vietnamese soldiers.

Kent State student shot

May 4, 1970

Ohio members of the national guard opened fire on students gathered in a crowd protesting the Vietnam war. Four were killed and nine were injured.

Pentagon Papers printed in NY

Jun 18, 1971

The papers revealed that Truman gave military aid to France in its colonial war.

Fall of Saigon

May 30, 1975

Saigon was captured and made into the capital of South Vietnam by the democratic army of Vietnam. It was important because it marked the end of the Vietnam war and the reunion of north and south Vietnam.