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The French lost control
In the 1800s, French established themselves as the colonial power in Vietnam -
President Eisenhower pledged support to South Vietnam
After the dividing of Vietnam, President Dwight D. Eisenhower pledged American support of South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem in an attempt to enforce the containment policy and stop the spread of communism. -
The Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive included surprise attacks on major cities, towns, and American military bases throughout South Vietnam. -
President Kennedy pledges support to South Vietnam
After his election in 1960, President John F. Kennedy pledged American support to the South Vietnamese. -
The Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem
Ngo Dinh Diem, the democratic leader of South Vietnam, lacked support in his own country as he imprisoned people who criticized his government, filled many government positions with members of his own family, and persecuted Buddhists. -
President Johnson increases aid to South Vietnam
After winning the election of 1964, President Johnson began a gradual escalation of the Vietnam war effort. -
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
After Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson became President and, like Kennedy, he was determined to carry out the Containment policy and stop the spread of communism by supporting South Vietnam. -
Troops in Vietnam
By the end of 1968, more than 536,000 American troops were in Vietnam. -
The Result of the Vietnam War
The Paris Peace Talks began in 1968 and were part of a peace negotiation effort started by President Johnson that last until 1972. -
The Fall of South Vietnam
American involvement in the Vietnam war ended in 1973, but the fighting in Vietnam continued.