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End of the French
The French suffer a decisive defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu -
Period: to
Vietnam War
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The Split of Vietnam
The Geneva Accords creates a cease-fire for the peaceful withdrawal of the French from Vietnam and provides a temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam at the 17th parallel. -
Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam declares itself the Republic of Vietnam, with newly elected Ngo Dinh Diem as president. -
Viet Cong
The National Liberation Front (NLF), also called the Viet Cong, is established in South Vietnam. -
Ngo Dinh Diem executed
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is executed during a coup. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
North Vietnamese attack two U.S. destroyers sitting in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin Incident). -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
A sustained U.S. aerial bombing campaign of North Vietnam begins (Operation Rolling Thunder). -
Chào Vietnam
The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
The North Vietnamese join forces with the Viet Cong to launch the Tet Offensive, attacking approximately one hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns. -
Mai Lai Massacre
U.S. soldiers kill hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the town of Mai Lai. -
General Creighton Abrams
General William Westmoreland, who had been in charge of the U.S. troops in Vietnam, is replaced by General Creighton Abrams. -
540,000 U.S. troops
U.S. troops in Vietnam reaches 540,000. -
First Withdrawal
President Nixon orders the first of many U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam. -
Ho Chi Mihn dies
Communist revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh dies at age 79 -
America's Perspective
The American public learns of the Mai Lai massacre. -
Enemy In Cambodia
President Nixon announces that U.S. troops will attack enemy locations in Cambodia. This news sparks nationwide protests, especially on college campuses. -
Pentagon Papers in New York Times
Portions of the Pentagon Papers are published in The New York Times. -
Cease-Fire
The Paris Peace Accords are signed that provide a cease-fire. -
North Vietnam vs South Vietnam
The North Vietnamese cross the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the 17th parallel to attack South Vietnam in what became known as the Easter Offensive. -
Xin chào VIetnam
The last U.S. troops are withdrawn from Vietnam.
